Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has defended the operations of the Linda Mwananchi team, describing it as a protector of citizens rather than an enemy of the government in power.

Speaking during the ODM delegates meeting at the Ufungamano House on Friday, March 27, 2026, Owino said their mission is to safeguard the lives of Kenyans and advocate for their rights.

“Sisi tumekuja tu; we are not the enemy of the government. Linda Mwananchi is the defender of the people. It is fighting for the rights and justice on behalf of the Kenyans,” Owino said.

He emphasised that the team pushes for compensation for those killed under state action.

“Those who were killed, it is Linda Mwananchi who is going to be putting pressure on the government to compensate their families,” Owino said.

Focus of job creation

He further stated that the team are focused on ensuring every youth access employment opportunities.

Owino criticised the current administration, claiming it has failed to deliver on its promise of creating millions of jobs annually.

“Because the government pledged to offer a million jobs yearly and has failed, our goal is to ensure that young people secure jobs and opportunities,” Owino said.

NDC illegal?

He further noted that the parallel NDC meeting hosted by the other group of ODM is illegal, adding that they did the meeting without the presence of the secretary general of the party.

He said that their meeting is legal because Sifuna, who is the secretary general, attended their meeting and not the other one.

“NDC imeitwa uko Ng’ong Road; that NDC is illegal because we have here the Secretary General of ODM, Edwin Sifuna,” Owino said.

Sifuna also dismissed the ongoing ODM National Delegates Convention at Jamhuri Park as illegitimate, describing it as a betrayal of the party’s core values.

Sifuna condemned the faction led by Linda Mwananchi, saying it could never be associated with the genuine ODM.

He accused the group of collaborating with the current administration under President William Ruto, calling it an oppressive government that seeks to weaken and fracture the party.

“Huu ni mkutano ambao tumeandaa kuweka wazi kuwa chama chetu cha ODM kiko katika hatari kubwa. Tunasema wazi kuwa watu wenye nia ovu wamepenya ndani ya chama hicho. Sisi tumeamua kwamba tutashikilia maadili ambayo Raila Odinga alitufunza na kutuachia,” Sifuna stated.

Legitimacy of ODM NDC

ODM chairperson Gladys Wanga defended the legitimacy of the party’s upcoming National Delegates Convention (NDC). ODM Party leader Oburu Odinga is leading the convention that is currently underway at the Jamhuri Park in Nairobi.

Wanga said the Friday, 27, 2026, meeting at Jamhuri Park is the only official NDC recognised under the party’s constitution, dismissing any parallel gatherings as illegitimate.

“There is only one NDC called in accordance with section 49 of our constitution, a special delegates conference, a 21-day notice given, and delegates invited,” Wanga stated.