Caleb Amisi: Oburu Odinga is not legitimate ODM party leader
By Mabonga Makhanu, January 24, 2026Saboti Member of Parliament (MP) Caleb Amisi has come out to state that Oburu Odinga is occupying the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader position illegally.
While speaking on a local podcast aired on Saturday, January 24, 2026, the outspoken lawmaker explained that, as per the ODM constitution, there are clear structures guiding the election of the party leader.
He stated that a Special National Delegates Conference (NDC) must be convened to elect the party leader, something that, according to Amisi, never happened in the case of Oburu Odinga.
Instead, he said Oburu was simply appointed to the helm of the party and not elected through the NDC as required by the party constitution.
“ODM is structured. What was a vacuum? What is a vacuum? Would somebody come and install himself to be a party leader? No. Why? Because we have Article 6-2-2 That said, a special national delegate’s conference shall be called. The word is ‘shall’. Shall be called in the event of the death of the party leader to elect, not nominate, a new party leader,” he said.
Amisi further challenged anyone with an ODM party nomination certificate signed by Oburu Odinga, saying it should be torn up because it is not legally binding, as Oburu Odinga is not the lawful party leader.
“It was not called up to now. That is why I say Oburu Odinga is in office illegally. If Oburu signed for you a certificate of nomination, go and tear that certificate and throw it. It is not legally binding.”
He also questioned the haste that preceded the replacement of the late Raila Odinga, noting that Oburu was installed less than 24 hours after Raila was pronounced dead, arguing that there was no justification for such urgency.
Junet’s ODM vacuum remarks
Amisi dismissed Suna East MP Junet Mohammed, who had defended the quick appointment of Oburu Odinga as Raila’s replacement by claiming that there could be no leadership vacuum.
Amisi countered this by stating that the ODM constitution is clear and structured on what should happen if the party leader dies — that the deputy party leader should take over the helm of the party in an acting capacity.
He went on to state that with ODM having three deputy party leaders, one of them could have taken over the management of the party, adding that it makes no sense to have three deputies if none of them can assume leadership when required.
“There was no power vacuum. Why do we have three deputy party leaders? The constitution says, “In the absence of the party leader, any one of them can act,” he added.
This also comes days after East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Winnie Odinga questioned the haste that preceded Oburu Odinga’s appointment, stating that there was no need for such speed.
Babu Owino ODM takeover
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, who has been adamant about taking over the ODM party leadership, has also questioned the process. He has called for an NDC to be convened so that he can be elected as ODM party leader, arguing that there is a need for generational change within ODM.
He gave an analogy of Moses handing over power to Joshua, who was younger, and not Aaron, who was his age-mate, saying that he is the one who ought to have taken over from Raila upon his death.