Embakasi East Member of Parliament (MP) has declared his intentions to succeed former Prime Minister Raila Odinga as the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader.

In a lengthy statement on Wednesday September 11, 2024, the vocal lawmaker indicated that he had reached out to ODM Central Management Committee to consider his candidacy for the party leadership.

Defending his candidacy, Babu Owino argued that the person who should replace Raila should be able to contest against President William Ruto in 2027 and unseat him.

“The person who should replace Baba is one who will beat Ruto in 2027 and that’s me.

“I therefore call on the Central Management Committee of the ODM Party to consider my strong desire to serve this prominent institution as its Party Leader in order to bring the rebirth now required to move it to the next level of engagement for the renewal of Kenya and the fundamentals of leadership,” Babu Owino declared.

Planned changes

If picked to replace Raila Odinga who is eyeing the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship position, Babu vowed to rejuvenate grassroot engagements bolster the party’s position ahead of the 2027 polls.

“The party requires rigorous reforms to enable it rejuvinate its grassroots engagements so that we can win clear margins in Parliament and County Assemblies to enable us enforce our Party Manifesto and campaign promises after winning the Presidency in 2027, and I am ready to do exactly that,” Babu stated.

He posited that if picked to occupy the highest seat in ODM,he would push for empowerment of the youth who he indicated are key in keeping Raila’s legacy alive.

Key areas which Babu vowed to prioritise in his quest to keep Raila’s struggles alive include political and economic liberation. Additionally, Babu pledged to champion for electoral reforms in the country.

“Our party need to absorb and mentor young people who now form more than 50 per cent of the population of our country to guide them as they play their own part in nation building, I am ready to lead in that cardinal role.

“ODM family, it is our time now to keep Raila Amolo Odinga’s legacy of political liberation and to move it to win electoral justice and economic liberation. It is my personal agenda to give my youthful energies to fulfil this long-standing vision of the man who has helped recruit and mentor us in political leadership,” Babu Owino emphasised.

His declaration is expected to change the political pulse in ODM has reports have linked various prominent leaders in the race to succeed Raila.