ODM rift: Political sparks fly as Babu Owino, Catherine Omanyo clash over party’s NDC
By Aloys Michael, February 23, 2026Embakasi East Member of Parliament (MP) Babu Owino and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party interim Secretary General Catherine Omanyo have differed over the legitimacy of the upcoming National Delegates Conference (NDC) scheduled for March 27, 2026.
Babu has also challenged the faction’s top organ’s power to appoint Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga as ODM party leader.
Speaking during an interview on a local TV station on Sunday, February 22, 2026, Babu laid out conditions for the party’s NDC, stating that he and others in the Linda Mwananchi faction would only attend the NDC if the delegates were properly audited before the conference.
He added that they will attend the conference scheduled for late March 2026 only if the embattled outfit’s party secretary general, Edwin Sifuna, convenes it, claiming that, if Sifuna does not call for the conference, its legitimacy will be questioned.
“We can only attend the NDC if the delegates are audited one by one and if the NDC is called by the Secretary General, who is Edwin Sifuna. If Sifuna does not call the NDC, then it will not be an NDC. It will be a Kangaroo meeting,” Babu stated.
Babu maintained that if Sifuna does not call for the NDC, then the party constitution and structure will be compromised. Hence, the NDC will not be legitimate, stating that all the office holders in the party are illegitimate except Sifuna.
“We do not want an NDC that is not procedurally called. We want an NDC called by the Secretary General. None of the office holders followed the procedure to be in office except the SG,” he said.
NDC drama
In a swift rebuttal, the acting ODM Secretary General, appointed following the removal of Edwin Sifuna, dismissed claims by Babu regarding the legitimacy of the party’s NDC and who has the authority to convene it.
Omanyo, who also serves as the Busia County Woman Representative, took to social media to clarify that the ODM constitution clearly outlines the procedure for convening the NDC.
She emphasised that the conference must be called through a resolution of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and subsequently ratified by the National Governing Council (NGC).
According to party rules, the ODM National Delegates Convention is held once every five years, no later than December 31 of the fifth year, at a venue, date, and time determined by the NEC.
Omanyo added that the party’s SG’s role is only to notify party members. Still, if the notice is not issued, the NEC can appoint any other party official 21 days before the conference to inform members.
“The notice and agenda convening the meeting shall be sent out by the Secretary General, failing which, any other party official specially appointed for that purpose by the NEC at least 21 days before such a date and published on the party website and in at least one daily English newspaper with wide national circulation,” Omanyo stated.