Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has criticised the current leadership of the Orange Democratic Movement, saying it has strayed from the vision and values of its late leader Raila Odinga.
He warned that unless the party embraces generational change, it risks losing its identity and weakening the principles that once guided its political fight.
Speaking during a joint interview on Citizen TV’s JKLive show with Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro on Wednesday, Owino framed his remarks as a defence of Raila’s legacy rather than a challenge to the party. He said his stand stems from loyalty to the late leader and a desire to see ODM return to its original mission.
Owino recounted his years of dedication to Raila and the party, describing himself as a frontline organiser who travelled extensively during election campaigns. He highlighted the personal sacrifices he made in support of the ODM leader, which included threats, attacks, and abduction.
“Deep down in my heart, I loved Baba (Raila), and I still love Baba. We suffered and campaigned together. I went to 280 constituencies out of 290, because of Baba,” he said.
He detailed incidents that he said tested his loyalty, including being abducted by alleged State agents and targeted in violent attacks during political campaigns.
“I was the first person to be abducted in this government, and they disappeared with me for three good days, because of the love that I had for Baba. Our chopper was stoned at Soy and we almost died, because of my love for Baba. So, I was Baba’s errand boy…and our Baba passed on suddenly, we’re still mourning upto date.”
Owino said Raila’s passing left a leadership gap that ODM has yet to fill, creating confusion over its direction. He argued the party now faces an identity crisis that calls for honest reflection on who should lead next.
“The General is dead, but the dream is still alive,” Owino said, urging the party to choose leaders with genuine ideological grounding rather than those parachuted into power.
Using biblical references, he likened Raila’s death to the end of an era and called for younger leaders to step forward with courage, energy, and vision.
“Our Moses is gone… we need a Joshua who is younger than Moses. A Joshua with the vim, vigour, courage, and temerity to take the people that Baba left to Canaan,” he said.
Owino accused senior ODM leaders of holding onto power despite having already fought and won their political battles. He said the comfort of the old guard has left little room for the youth to shape the party’s future.
“Our old men are at a comfort zone and at rest because of the wars that they’ve fought… and it is time for them to hand over the baton to the young generation who are seeing the next future,” he said.
He also questioned the party’s current political strategy, especially its approach to alliances, arguing that it has shifted away from the assertive position that once made it a dominant force.
“The ODM that we have currently does not talk about what Baba stood for. Baba never went to look for coalitions or other parties… other parties came to look for Baba,” he said.
Owino warned that chasing coalitions risks diluting the party’s principles and sidelining younger voices.
“This one that we’re going to look for (other parties) is a different ODM… They’re off course, and that leadership does not like the young people,” he added.
Addressing speculation about becoming a Luo political leader, Owino rejected ethnic labels, saying his vision is national. However, he noted that recent poll results showing his popularity in Nyanza have unsettled party veterans.
“You saw the numbers, and numbers never lie… we were at 33%, followed by my father Dr. Oburu Oginga at 10%, Gladys Wanga at 7% and the rest at 1%,” he said, adding that some party officials were “so scared” by the outcome.
Despite this, he emphasised that his goal is national influence.
“Leave the Luo kingpin aside, I want to be a national kingpin, a Kenyan kingpin,” he said.
Owino also referenced his recent confrontation with Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai, framing it as part of a wider pattern of intimidation allegedly backed by the State. He claimed efforts were made to block him from seeing Raila’s body and attending the burial, alongside planned acts of violence.
“There’s a clearly cut pattern of violence that is being planned to be meted on myself from the State,” he said, adding, “So this is a war against the State; it is the State that is against me.”
While recognising the risks, Owino said his political journey is guided by the desire to leave a meaningful legacy.
“At the right time, we will all pass. Before you die, the question is what legacy do you want to leave? I want to leave a legacy of transforming lives for the better,” he said.
His statements expose growing friction within ODM over leadership, ideology, and the party’s direction, as younger members press for space in a movement long shaped by Raila Odinga’s authority.
