Why Babu Owino is opposed to Oburu Odinga leading ODM after Raila’s death
By Mabonga Makhanu, January 15, 2026Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has explained why he is opposed to Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga continuing to lead the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), as he intensifies his push for a change of leadership within the party.
Speaking in an interview aired by a local TV station on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, Owino reiterated his demand for a complete overhaul of ODM’s leadership structure and called for the convening of a National Delegates Conference (NDC).
He argued that the conference should allow party members to chart a new direction and elect fresh leadership after more than two decades under the stewardship of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
According to Owino, Raila Odinga was his last political boss and the only leader he ever recognised at the helm of ODM. He maintained that while Raila is gone, the ideals and vision he stood for must remain alive. In his view, the party now faces a critical moment that requires choosing a strong and visionary successor rather than what he described as weak or imposed leadership.
“The general is dead. Long live the general, but the dream is still alive. The fact that the general is dead, Jeff, means we need to ask ourselves a simple question in ODM: What kind of a general do we need to take after Baba?”
Why, young people?
Owino used biblical analogies to illustrate his argument, likening Raila Odinga to Moses, who led his people up to Mount Nebo before handing over leadership to Joshua and not to Aaron, who was the same age as him. In this context, the Aaron he was referring to is Oburu, who is the late Raila’s elder brother, and Joshua is a much younger person like him. Emphasising his adamance for someone much younger to take over the leadership of ODM than the older people like Oburu.
“Do we need the weakest general, or do we need the strongest general, or do we need a parachuted general? Our Moses is gone. And when Moses was leaving, he went left at Mount Nebo and handed over to Joshua, not Aaron.”
He said ODM must now decide whether it is committed to pursuing the original promise of transformative leadership or whether it is being diverted from that path. He dismissed claims by some leaders that they are acting on dreams or spiritual revelations, arguing instead that leadership should be guided by clear vision, courage and action.
The Embakasi East MP further stated that the younger generation within ODM has a responsibility to take over the baton from veteran leaders who have already played their part in the struggle.
He argued that young leaders are better placed to confront contemporary challenges such as the high cost of living, overtaxation, unemployment, access to quality and affordable education, and equitable healthcare.
Owino insisted that leadership renewal is necessary to ensure that these issues are addressed decisively and that the party remains relevant to the aspirations of young Kenyans.
Diverting from Raila’s ideology
He also criticised the current direction of ODM, claiming that it has drifted away from Raila Odinga’s core principles. Owino argued that the party was built on strong ideological foundations during the period when Raila was at the helm and did not survive by chasing coalitions but rather by attracting others to its vision.
In his view, ODM’s leadership must remain firm on what the party originally stood for instead of compromising its identity, as seen in the recent past where it was pushing for a coalition with the United Democratic Alliance UDA party.
“Baba never went to look for coalitions. Baba never went to look for other parties; other parties came to look for him,” he added.
Addressing concerns about resistance to youthful leadership, Owino said some senior figures within the party are uncomfortable with the rise of young leaders. He maintained that age should not be used to undermine credibility, adding that leadership should be judged by vision, integrity and performance rather than years.
His quest for National recognition
Owino also made it clear that his ambitions go beyond regional politics. While acknowledging his strong support base in the Nyanza region, as evidenced in the recent Infrotrak polls, he said his ultimate goal is to become a national figure capable of transforming lives across the country, regardless of region or background.
“Leave the Luo kingpin aside. I want to be a national kingpin, a Kenyan kingpin. That is the most important thing,” he added.
He stressed that true leadership requires patience, discipline and resilience, noting that even biblical leaders such as David faced rejection and doubt before eventually rising to greatness.
Through his remarks, Owino positioned himself as a symbol of generational change within ODM, arguing that the party must embrace renewal if it is to remain a powerful force in Kenya’s political future.