Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has sharply criticized ODM Party Leader Dr. Oburu Oginga, accusing him of steering the party in a direction that betrays its founding ideals and the legacy of the late Raila Odinga.
Speaking during an interview with KTN on February 23, 2026, Owino claimed that Oburu’s conduct is out of step with what ODM has historically stood for.
“Dr. Oburu is behaving in a way that Baba would not have behaved. Baba, where he is, must be a disturbed man.
This party was not built by Dr Oburu alone; this party was built by the toiling and moiling of people. This is not a party for one person; this is a party for Kenyans,” Owino said.
ODM is currently grappling with internal divisions following the ouster of Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna.
The fallout has birthed two factions: the “Linda Ground” camp associated with Oburu, and the “Linda Wananchi” movement aligned with Sifuna, Owino, Siaya Governor James Orengo, EALA MP Winnie Odinga and Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka.
The Linda Wananchi team has already held rallies in Busia, Kajiado (Kitengela), Vihiga (Mbale) and Kakamega (Amalemba Grounds), positioning itself as a reformist wing within the party.
Drawing a sharp contrast between the two sides, Owino declared: “The Linda Ground is an affordable ODM.
It is the ‘Linda Tumbo.’ What are the differences between Linda Ground and Linda Wananchi? Linda Ground wants power, while Linda Wananchi wants empowerment for the people.
Linda Ground are retrogressive forces but Linda Wananchi are progressive minds.”
He questioned the motives of those he accuses of lowering the party’s ambitions.
“A party that has won four elections, you want to tell us that you do not want the president or the deputy president? Then you tell us that you want power? Is it paka power or power tap? Which power do you want?” he posed.
Owino also dismissed claims that former President Uhuru Kenyatta is backing the Linda Wananchi tours.
“He is not funding our rallies, we come together we contribute the little we have, that is how we fund ourselves,” he said.
In a separate attack, the MP called for the dismissal of Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, alleging links to political violence.
“The first person who should bear responsibility and should be sacked & charged is Raymond Omollo. He is the one who organised goons to access the airport with pangas,” Owino claimed.
Reflecting on his relationship with Raila, Owino added: “I campaigned with Baba in 280/290 constituencies. I was Baba’s boy.
Three weeks before Baba passed on, we met before he traveled. When you see Babu, he knows a lot.”
His remarks underscore deepening fault lines within ODM, as rival camps battle over the party’s direction and its interpretation of Baba’s legacy.
