A fierce internal power struggle has erupted within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), barely four months after Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga assumed the role of party leader following the death of his brother, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
The conflict, which pits a faction led by Embakasi East MP Babu Owino against the current party establishment, centers on the legitimacy of Oburu’s leadership and the party’s strategic alliance with President William Ruto’s administration.
Babu’s Bid: A Call for Revolution
In a bold move, MP Babu Owino has publicly declared his intention to take over ODM’s leadership, claiming the process that installed Oburu Odinga was “incompetent and irregular.” Speaking to NTV on Thursday, Owino demanded the immediate convening of a National Delegate Conference (NDC) to legitimize new leadership.
“There was no procedure whatsoever in getting the new leadership of ODM in place,” Owino asserted. “We want to take the leadership of the party as soon as possible… after Baba, it is Babu.”
His call has garnered support from several senior party figures, including Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, Siaya Governor James Orengo, and Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga, who held a strategic meeting on Thursday.
Owino’s faction opposes the party’s collaboration with President Ruto’s government, a cornerstone of Oburu’s current policy. He vows that under his leadership, ODM will produce a presidential candidate to challenge President Ruto directly in the 2027 general elections.
“If those people think that ODM cannot produce a presidential candidate, they are short-sighted; they are dealers and not leaders. We want to help Kenyans because they are suffering,” Babu stated.
Oburu Holds Firm: Legacy and Alliances
In response, leaders backing Oburu Odinga have dismissed the challengers, emphasizing his suitability to steer the party. Oburu himself has remained defiant, affirming his strength and commitment to preserving his late brother’s legacy.
“I’m not afraid to say that I will not allow myself to be shaken. I’m going to sit on the party leader seat of ODM squarely,” Oburu declared at a recent event, drawing a comparison to former US President Donald Trump. “Anybody who thinks that Oburu Odinga is about to die soon is seriously mistaken because I’m the same age as Trump of America.”
He reiterated the party’s commitment to its “broad-based arrangement” with President Ruto, stating it aligns with the wishes of his late brother.
Constitutional Clash and Presidential Ambitions
Adding another layer to the conflict, Suna East MP Junet Mohamed, an Oburu supporter, recently criticized party members positioning themselves for the presidency. He argued that the party’s constitution reserves that right solely for the party leader until a decision is made.
“The party members are still waiting for Oburu’s confirmation on whether he can vie for the country’s top seat or not,” Mohamed said, highlighting the unresolved question of ODM’s 2027 presidential candidate.
A Party at a Crossroads
The public feud exposes deep ideological and generational divides within ODM. On one side, Oburu’s camp advocates for continuity, stability, and a working relationship with the current government. On the other, Babu’s faction pushes for a more confrontational approach, internal democratic renewal, and a direct challenge for the presidency.
The demand for an NDC has become the focal point. If convened, it could lead to a dramatic reorganization of party leadership or solidify Oburu’s position. For now, Kenya’s largest opposition party finds itself embroiled in a tense stalemate, its unity and future direction hanging in the balance as the 2027 election cycle looms.
