Nyanza Daily, Political Desk — A heated dispute over leadership succession within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has taken a sharper turn as party activist Cliff Mboya publicly challenged Hon. Babu Owino, the Embakasi East legislator, accusing him of sidelining the party’s founding values and failing to show loyalty to the late Raila Odinga.
Mboya, a known supporter of the late Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga, took to his Facebook page to air grievances that have shocked many within ODM. In a post that has since gone viral, he claimed that the weight of certain photos and declarations related to party leadership struggles allegedly contributed to stress that affected Raila Odinga’s health before his passing. Mboya rhetorically asked why Raila Odinga had allegedly ignored Babu Owino’s calls for two months before Raila Odinga’s death.
“There comes a time when we must tell each other the truth, not fiction,” Mboya wrote, insisting that internal party conflicts should be confronted openly rather than swept under the rug.
Call for a National Delegates Conference
Mboya’s post came just a day after Babu Owino publicly demanded that ODM convene a National Delegates Conference (NDC) — a move widely interpreted as an attempt to reconfigure party leadership. In his remarks, Owino suggested that the current interim leadership, headed by Oburu Odinga, should make way for a new generation of leaders aligned with his vision. 
Under the ODM constitution, the NDC is the party’s highest decision-making organ, and any move to recalibrate leadership through such a forum carries significant weight. By calling for the party’s top leadership to be handed over to him, Owino has effectively thrust himself into the center of ongoing leadership wrangles that have simmered in the party since Raila Odinga’s death. 
Leadership Wrangle Within ODM
The Orange Democratic Movement has been navigating a delicate transitional period since the passing of its founder, Raila Odinga — long a dominant force in Kenya’s politics and a towering figure within ODM. Currently, Oburu Odinga, Raila’s brother, holds the party leader position on an interim basis. 
Within party circles, views on the future direction of ODM are divided. Some members urge unity and continuity under the established leadership, while others — including Babu Owino — argue that the party must embrace generational change to remain relevant and competitive in the fast-evolving political landscape.
Critics of the push for immediate leadership change warn that internal divisions could weaken the party ahead of future elections. Supporters of Owino, on the other hand, argue that fresh leadership could invigorate the party’s base and broaden its appeal nationally.
Mboya’s Rebuke: Loyalty and Legacy
In his rebuke, Mboya did not hold back, accusing Owino of disrespect and political opportunism. By spotlighting the dispute as not just political, but personal — suggesting a betrayal of Raila Odinga’s legacy — Mboya’s comments risk inflaming tensions within a party already grappling with uncertainty.
His invocation of “truth” in the context of alleged avoidance of calls by Babu Owino to Raila Odinga has resonated with many watchers of party politics, even as others caution against personalizing internal disagreements.
What’s Next for ODM?
With calls for an NDC now in the open, ODM faces crucial decisions about its leadership structure and political identity going forward. Whether the party will heed Babu Owino’s challenge — and how Oburu Odinga and other senior figures respond — remains to be seen.
For now, the powder keg of internal contestation underscores the difficulty of navigating political succession in one of Kenya’s largest and most influential parties.
