“Nimetosha Kuwa Party Leader!” – Babu Owino Declares After ODM Snub
On Saturday, Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino launched one of his most daring challenges against the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.
Owino declared himself ready for a larger seat and openly questioned why he was ignored in the most recent selections.
In a heated speech at the ODM at 20 festivities at Mombasa’s Mama Ngina Waterfront, Owino, who was already regarded as a restless force inside the party, pledged the late political outfit’s leader, Raila Odinga, unwavering dedication to street fighting in the face of terrible living conditions.
However, in the same breath, Owino turned his guns inward, warning the Orange Party hierarchy to “think again” about excluding him from future roles.
“Nataka kuhakikishia Raila Amollo Odinga mahali popote yupo sai; Baba siku ya leo, gharama ya maisha ikienda juu, tutaenda maandamano, wapende wasipende!” He thundered.
“Baba siku ya leo karo ya shule ikipelekwa juu, tutaenda maandamano, wapende wasipende! Baba siku ya leo bei za bidhaa zikienda juu, tutaenda maandamano, wapende wasipende!”
Babu Owino to Oburu Odinga : I can be ODM Party Leader!Don't Belittle me!Mliangalia Mkaona Babu Owino hawezi Ongoza Chama? pic.twitter.com/os8fLppEk7
— Mutembei TV (@MutembeiTV) November 15, 2025
But the heat didn’t stop there. Taking direct aim at the party’s position allocation this past Thursday, when Siaya Senator Dr. Oburu Oginga was formally approved as the new ODM leader, Owino questioned why his name was not on the list.
“Jana niliona viongozi wetu wa ODM wakipewa viti, congratulations. Lakini nataka niwaulize swali wadosi, mliangalia huyu Babu Owino mkaona hawezi tosha kiti yoyote?” He posed.
“Kwa hivo mfikirie hiyo, youth leader (Oburu) nakuheshimu, lakini hapo mbele hata Babu ametosha party leader.”
Owino’s comments came after Dr. Oburu, who was still serving as temporary party leader late last month, extended an olive branch to him and told the young MP that the party would conduct a fair nomination process in the run-up to 2027.
The lawmaker has in the past claimed he was being pushed to the periphery, especially regarding the battle for Nairobi’s governorship, a ticket he has insisted he deserves a fair shot at but was allegedly being prepared for someone else.
If the cost of living goes up, we will go back to maandamano, we will not be intimidated – Babu Owino pic.twitter.com/zVsJ4pqGdT
— Kenyans.co.ke (@Kenyans) November 15, 2025
His words on Saturday rekindled such tensions, exposing a generational divide inside ODM just as the party celebrates two decades in national politics.
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Oburu’s attempt at conciliation, informing Owino that he is appreciated and will not be shortchanged, may have temporarily calmed the situation.
However, the Embakasi East MP’s speech left no question that ODM’s internal conflicts are still very much alive.
If anything, the outspoken legislator seized the anniversary stage to announce, loudly and unequivocally, that he is done sitting quietly in the wings.
“Nimetosha Kuwa Party Leader!” – Babu Owino Declares After ODM Snub
