Embakasi East Member of Parliament (MP) Babu Owino has vowed to ride out his rough patch, assuring Kenyans and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM)supporters that he has not got a reverse gear on his bid for capturing the party leadership.

Owino has said nothing he heard that would tempt him to abandon his mission despite a huge pushback froma section of leaders in the country’s most popular party.

Speaking during an interview on a local Radio station on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, he gave a resolute defence of his decision to capture ODM leadership, saying that he was ready to meet the challenge of winning in the presence of the ODM meeting at the National Delegates Conference (NDC).

“I can only go one way, I do not have reverse gears, I know it is hard for people to keep faith, some people may have different takes on me, but have the same take on them, “Owino said.

The MP maintained that those rushing to oppose his bid should equally take time to understand why he took it.

While banking on Infotrack polls, Owino says systems points at him as the better option for the party leadership.

“Infotrack polls that the former Premier Raila Odinga relied on during presidential campaigns have placed me as a suitable candidate for ODM with 33 per cent, Senator Oburu Oginga ranked second with 10 percent while Homa-bay Governor Gladys Wanga came third with 5 per cent,” he said.

“Interior PS Raymond Omollo, Treasury CS John Mbaadi and Petroleum CS Opiyo Wandayi were 2 per cent. The sampled Kenyans made it clear who they wanted to lead the ODM party, and the results at the NDC will shock those already in power.”

Oburu under fire?

Owino said those whom they thought would embrace them (Youth) have turned against them, including the son and daughter of Enigma (Raila), Winnie Odinga, who maintained that no one will hound them out of the ODM.

“Whoever inherits the deceased’s property is his sons, daughters and wife, but the death of Raila has left Kenyans in deep shock as ODM, which was a property of Raila that he built for 20 years through sacrifices and struggles, ended up in the hands of Senator Oburu,”

Owino said his vision with the ODM party is to clinch Kenyans top seat, and once he wields the mantle, he shall embark on a mission that would see party strength boosted through gathering all and scattering none strategy.

The legislator said the Nairobi Gubernatorial bid will be a stepping stone to his 2032 presidential bid.

“2027 am eying the Nairobi Gubernatorial seat in preparation of presidency in 2032.

Owino has dismissed claims that he is someone’s project, adding that an independent leader, only fighting for the interests of Kenyans.

“I am not anybody’s project, and I have never thought of being anybody’s project. I am my own man, made by the Kenyans who stand with me,” he said.