Babu Owino takes aim at ODM old guard, calls for youth takeover to protect Raila’s legacy

Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has accused the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leadership of drifting from the ideals of its late longtime leader Raila Odinga, warning that the party risks ideological collapse if it fails to embrace generational change and re-centre itself on the principles that defined its political struggle.

Speaking on Citizen TV’s JKLive show in a joint interview with Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro on Wednesday, Owino framed his criticism as a defence of Raila’s legacy, insisting that his position was rooted in loyalty rather than rebellion.

He recounted years of political sacrifice made in defence of Raila and the ODM cause, describing himself as a frontline mobiliser who traversed nearly the entire country during 2022 election campaigns.

Owino said his association with Raila came at significant personal cost, including abduction by alleged State agents and violent attacks, which he attributed to his unwavering support for the deceased ODM leader.

“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.

“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.”

According to Owino, Raila’s absence from the political scene has created a vacuum that ODM has failed to fill with clarity or purpose.

He argued that the party is now grappling with an identity crisis, one that requires honest introspection on leadership succession.

“The General is dead, but the dream is still alive,” Owino said, adding that ODM must decide whether it wants strong, ideologically grounded leadership or what he termed “parachuted” figures imposed without legitimacy.

Using Biblical imagery, Owino argued that Raila’s departure marked the end of one era and the beginning of another, insisting that the next phase of the party must be led by a younger generation.

“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.

The MP took aim at ODM’s senior leadership, accusing veteran figures of clinging to power despite having already fought and won their political battles.

He argued that the party’s old guard has settled into political comfort, creating a hostile environment for younger leaders.

“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,” Owino said.

Beyond leadership, Owino faulted ODM’s current political strategy, particularly its approach to coalitions and alliances.

He claimed the party has abandoned the assertive posture that once made it a dominant political force, instead opting for accommodation and compromise.

“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.

The outspoken legislator warned that a party built on struggle risks losing its ideological foundation if it continues to chase alliances at the expense of its core beliefs.

“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 claims that he is positioning himself as the next Luo political kingpin following Raila’s demise, Owino dismissed ethnic labels, insisting his ambition is national rather than regional.

However, he claimed that a recent Infotrak poll which showed his popularity in Nyanza has unsettled senior ODM figures.

“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 the figures, Owino said he is not interested in regional dominance, noting: “Leave the Luo kingpin aside, I want to be a national kingpin, a Kenyan kingpin.”

The Embakasi East MP also addressed his recent confrontation with Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai, framing it within what he described as a broader, State-backed pattern of intimidation aimed at silencing him.

Owino alleged that efforts were made to prevent him from viewing Raila’s body and accessing the burial, claiming that violence was being organised against him to curtail his political influence.

“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 acknowledging the risks involved, Owino said his political journey is driven by a desire to leave behind 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.

Owino’s remarks lay bare growing tensions within ODM over succession, ideology, and the party’s future direction, as younger leaders push for space in a movement long shaped by Raila’s singular political authority.