The political friction within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party has burst open after Embakasi East Member of Parliament (MP) Paul Ongili popularly known as Babu Owino publicly demarcated the line between cultural reverence and political authority.
In a calculated move that challenges the existing hierarchy of the party, Owino has explicitly rejected the political stewardship of Senator Oburu Oginga, even while affirming his respect for him as an elder, exposing a widening gap between the party’s old guard and its younger, more activist wing, a divide likely to shape debates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Anatomy of a Fracturing Consensus
For nearly two decades, the Orange Democratic Movement has operated under a model where loyalty to the party leader and the extended Oginga family was considered non-negotiable. Senator Oburu Oginga, often viewed as the gatekeeper of this political establishment, has long commanded influence that transcends his specific legislative role. However, the recent comments by Owino suggest a strategic pivot away from this centralized authority model.
Political analysts note that this tension reflects a broader generational divide. While the party has historically relied on the charisma and foundational narrative of the Oginga family, the modern electorate is increasingly driven by policy-oriented demands rather than historical allegiances.
Owino, who has built his brand on populist advocacy and direct engagement with the youth in urban centers like Embakasi, is positioning himself as the vanguard of a new, assertive leadership style that views traditional party seniority as a potential barrier to modern governance.
The shift from personality-based politics to issue-based campaigning, is anchored on the demographic reality of the Kenyan voter: approximately 75 percent of the population is under the age of 35.
The contention that Owino is raising hinges on the distinction between cultural protocol and organizational policy. In Kenyan society, seniority is deeply respected, particularly among the Luo community, which forms the bedrock of the party’s support base. By explicitly separating his respect for Oburu as an elder from his refusal to accept him as a political leader, Owino is attempting to neutralize a powerful counter-attack: the accusation of disrespect. This rhetorical strategy aims to insulate him from cultural backlash while aggressively pursuing his own political agenda.
This friction is mirrored in other global political contexts where legacy parties struggle to incorporate the energy of younger, digital-native demographics. In countries like the United Kingdom and the United States, established political parties have faced similar crises, where the "Old Guard" attempts to maintain control through institutional inertia, while new factions demand radical transparency and meritocratic advancement.
For the Orange Democratic Movement, the challenge is to manage this transition without alienating the base that has sustained the party through three decades of opposition and coalition governance.
Local political observers argue that the party is currently grappling with a severe identity crisis. The reliance on the Oginga brand has provided stability but also stifled the emergence of new, independent power centers. Interviews with party delegates from the Nyanza region suggest a divided opinion. While some remain steadfast in their loyalty to the established family hierarchy, a growing number of youth leagues and local representatives are calling for a competitive, open process to determine the party’s future direction.
Economic data from the region paints a compelling picture of why this agitation is occurring. The Siaya and Homa Bay regions, while politically loyal, have faced persistent challenges regarding infrastructure development and employment opportunities, with unemployment rates among youth in these areas hovering near 40 percent. This economic frustration acts as a catalyst for political change, as residents increasingly look for leaders who prioritize tangible deliverables over political heritage.
Owino opposes political coalition with UDA, urges youth-led ODM shift
Today's remarks, come days after Owino called on the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to prioritise young leaders, saying Kenya’s future depends on fresh voices and energy to drive the party’s mission.
Owino criticised ODM’s decision to explore a coalition with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) led by President William Ruto, arguing that the move conflicts with the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s principles.
“Current ODM does not talk about what Baba stood for. Baba never went to look for coalitions. Other parties came to look for Baba. What we are going to look for is a different ODM. Therefore, the leadership of ODM must ensure that they stand with what Baba believed in,” he said.
The party, now led by Raila’s brother Oburu Odinga, maintains that its coalition with UDA aims to secure political and development gains for ODM supporters.
However, the decision has faced opposition from several party leaders, including Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Godfrey Osotsi, Siaya Governor James Orengo, Caleb Amisi (Saboti), and Antony Kibagendi (Kitutu Chache South), who reject supporting Ruto’s re-election in 2027. Oburu’s election as party leader has also sparked concerns among members over the party’s direction.
Citing his long-standing loyalty to Raila, Owino argued that Kenya cannot rely solely on older leadership and must empower a new generation to drive economic growth, social reforms, and political stability.
Babu Owino's declaration is not merely a localized squabble between two politicians, it represents an existential inflection point for one of Kenya's most enduring political institutions. As the Orange Democratic Movement navigates the complexities of a post-Raila Odinga era, the rise of a younger, more assertive cohort of leaders is creating deep fissures within the party structure. The question of who commands the loyalty of the party base is now superseding traditional deference to the Oginga family lineage, signaling a volatile transition period for the party.
ODM seems to struggle defining its place in the broad-based government and reconstructing its leadership structure, and Owino’s remarks signal that the fight over the party’s future, and its identity as a protest movement or governing partner, is far from settled.
