KISUMU, Kenya — Acting Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Dr. Oburu Oginga on Thursday met Embakasi East MP Babu Owino in a bid to ease growing tensions within the party and reassure youthful members of inclusivity in the post-Raila Odinga era.
Dr. Oburu, who assumed leadership of ODM following the passing of his brother Raila Odinga, described the meeting as part of efforts to strengthen unity within the party amid perceived divisions.
“This morning, I held an official meeting with Babu Owino. Our discussion centered on strengthening unity and inclusivity within the ODM party,” Dr. Oburu said in a statement shared on social media.
“Babu Owino symbolizes the vibrant energy and determination of our youth. He has a promising future, and we are together.”
The meeting came days after the ODM leader publicly stated that he was looking for Babu Owino, who has expressed interest in contesting the Nairobi gubernatorial seat in the 2027 elections. The youthful MP had earlier claimed there was a plot to deny him the party’s ticket, sparking speculation of friction within ODM’s Nairobi wing.
Addressing the issue in an interview with Ramogi TV earlier this week, Dr. Oburu dismissed Babu’s fears as misplaced and affirmed that the party’s nomination process would be fair and transparent.
“I do not know why he believes he cannot be given the ODM ticket to vie for Nairobi Governor,” Dr. Oburu said. “If he wins, he will get it. So let him not run away from the party.”
He added that all aspirants are welcome to contest openly, assuring that no candidate would be unfairly favoured.
“Anyone who wants the party ticket in the Nairobi Governor race should just declare and square it out openly among each other. Nobody can take the ticket away from you if you win it and you’re a member of the party,” he stated.
Dr. Oburu revealed that he had been trying to reach out to Babu Owino personally to calm tensions. “I have sent people to look for him… I know I will find him soon so that we can have a conversation and I can tell him to keep calm and not worry,” he said.
During the same interview, Dr. Oburu hinted that Raila Odinga’s successor as the Luo community’s political kingpin would likely emerge from the younger generation of leaders rather than from Raila’s contemporaries.
“There’s no forum where a Luo kingpin is elected,” he noted. “A kingpin will sprout out of nowhere like a mushroom; someone will just emerge and take Raila’s space, but not from his agemates like myself.”
The meeting between Dr. Oburu and Babu Owino appears to be a strategic move to stabilize ODM’s internal ranks ahead of the 2027 general elections and to reaffirm the party’s commitment to youth inclusion and generational transition in leadership.
