Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has publicly urged ODM leader Oburu Oginga to resign from his position as party leader and transition into a trustee role that would allow him to offer guidance without holding executive authority.
Speaking during a political event in Nairobi on February 20, 2026, Owino argued that ODM needs fresh, youthful energy to remain competitive and relevant ahead of the 2027 general election. He praised Oburu for his long service and loyalty to the party’s founding principles but said the time has come for generational renewal at the top.
“Oburu Oginga is our elder statesman and a living link to Baba’s legacy,” Owino said. “He has served with dedication and wisdom, but leadership must evolve. The party needs young, dynamic leaders who understand the frustrations of today’s youth—high unemployment, digital economy challenges, climate anxiety and the cost-of-living crisis. Oburu should step aside gracefully and become a trustee who advises and mentors without being in the day-to-day driving seat.”
Owino proposed that Oburu take up a non-executive trustee position similar to elder statesmen roles in other political parties globally. “He can sit in the background, offer counsel, mediate disputes and remind us of the values Raila Odinga fought for—social justice, equity and people-centred politics,” Owino explained. “That way, his experience is not lost, but the party gets the fresh leadership it needs to win the next election.”
The call comes amid ongoing internal discussions within ODM about succession and generational transition following Raila Odinga’s death in October 2025. Oburu, Raila’s elder brother, was elected unopposed as party leader in a special delegates conference and has been steering the party through a delicate period of realignment, including the handling of the expired March 2025 Memorandum of Understanding with Kenya Kwanza.
Owino insisted his appeal is not personal but strategic. “This is about the future of ODM and the country,” he said. “We cannot keep relying on the same faces forever. Youth must lead, but we need the wisdom of elders like Oburu to guide us. Resigning from leadership does not diminish his stature—it elevates it to elder statesman status.”
The remarks have stirred debate within ODM circles. Supporters of Oburu argue that his steady hand is needed during this transitional phase. One senior party official said: “Oburu has stabilised the party when it could have fragmented. Asking him to step down now is premature. He still commands respect across generations.”
Others echoed Owino’s view that ODM must embrace younger leaders to reconnect with the base. A youth league coordinator said: “Babu is speaking what many of us feel. The party must look young and energetic if we are to mobilise the under-35 vote that will decide 2027.”
Oburu Oginga has not yet responded publicly to the call. Close allies say he remains focused on unifying the party and preparing for upcoming internal elections and the national conference. “Baba entrusted him with leadership at a critical moment,” one aide said. “He will listen to all voices, but any decision will be guided by what is best for ODM and the people of Kenya.”
The proposal comes at a time when ODM is grappling with internal factions, the future of the UDA cooperation framework and strategies to reclaim ground lost in previous elections. Calls for generational change have grown louder, especially from MPs like Owino, Sifuna and other younger leaders who have been vocal on economic issues affecting youth.
Political analyst Dr Martin Ouma said Owino’s statement reflects a broader tension. “This is not just about Oburu personally,” Ouma said. “It is about whether ODM can reinvent itself post-Raila. Youthful leadership could energise the base, but abrupt change risks instability. Oburu as trustee could be a graceful compromise.”
As the party heads toward its next major conference, the debate over leadership renewal is likely to intensify. Whether Oburu will heed the call or defend his position will shape ODM’s direction in the critical months ahead.
