Babu Owino: We want ODM NDC; it’s time for I to take over party leadership
By Mabonga Makhanu, January 8, 2026Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has come out to call for an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) National Delegate Conference (NDC) so that he can take over the leadership of the party.
In a statement posted on his social media handles on Thursday, January 8, 2025, the outspoken lawmaker said he wants an NDC, which is the highest decision-making party organ, to be convened so that he can take over the helm of the party, a position currently held by Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga, who was installed following the passing of the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who led the party since its inception in 2005.
Babu Owino, in his popular phrase “baada ya Baba ni Babu”, has exuded confidence in himself, declaring that after the exit of the late former premier, it is his time to take over the leadership of the Orange Party.
According to him, the ODM party, which is currently at loggerheads with top leaders trading blows with each other, will continue to experience chaos without him at the helm.
“We want ODM to call for NDC. It’s time to take over the party leadership. Baada ya Baba ni Babu. Babu Kwa Sababu. Bila Babu Tabu,” Babu Owino said.
Infrotrack polls
This comes after recent opinion polls conducted by Infotrak, which placed him as the most influential leader from the Luo Nyanza community, giving him 33 per cent, with Oburu Odinga coming in a distant second at 10 per cent, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga at 7 per cent, and her Siaya counterpart James Orengo at 4 per cent.
Wrangles in odm
This also comes at a time when the party is divided on its direction following the death of Raila Odinga, leading to two factions emerging: one led by Oburu Odinga, the party leader, and Gladys Wanga, and the other by the four Cabinet Secretaries donated by the late Raila Odinga to Ruto’s cabinet, dubbed the “Four Experts”, who want the party to support the President for his reelection in 2027.
A separate group led by Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, and Siaya Governor James Orengo has opposed the move and wants the party to field a presidential candidate to challenge President William Ruto, citing that the late Raila Odinga said the party will produce a presidential candidate.
Wandayi-Junet Rebuttal
This has attracted a rebuttal from leaders opposed to the move, led by Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, who said that according to the ODM constitution, it is the party leader who is allowed to make the decision on whom the party will support in presidential elections.
Suba East MP Junet Mohammed reiterated the same, saying that as per the party’s constitution, the party leader is always the official presidential candidate, and it is up to him to decide which direction the party should follow regarding presidential elections and party alignment, something that Oburu Odinga himself has come out to declare.