Speaking during a radio interview on Tuesday, January 20, Babu claimed that some ODM officials were deliberately interfering with the delegates’ list in a bid to block youthful leaders from ascending to key leadership positions within the party.
He warned that such actions risk plunging the party into deeper divisions at a critical time.
According to the outspoken legislator, there are alleged plans to ferry individuals from regions considered politically favourable to certain party insiders, including parts of the Rift Valley and North Eastern Kenya, to influence decisions at the NDC.
According to the outspoken legislator, there are alleged plans to ferry individuals from regions considered politically favourable to certain party insiders, including parts of the Rift Valley and North Eastern Kenya, to influence decisions at the NDC.
“I have heard credible information that when the NDC is called, there are plans to bring in people who are not legitimate delegates from regions that favour certain leaders,” Babu alleged.
“We will scrutinise the delegates’ list thoroughly to ensure only genuine delegates attend.”
Threat of Parallel Conference
Babu warned that if the party leadership proceeds with what he described as a flawed or manipulated process, he and his allies would have no choice but to organise an alternative NDC.
“If they insist on calling an NDC with a compromised delegates’ list, then we will also call our own NDC, which will reflect the will of genuine party members,” he said, adding that such a forum would elect new party leadership.
The MP openly declared his ambition to take over the party’s top position, insisting that ODM should allow a generational transition without resistance from the old guard.
“We are demanding that ODM calls an NDC and that I be given the opportunity to lead the party unopposed,” Babu stated, reinforcing his determination to assume party leadership.
Youth vs Old Guard Debate
Babu argued that young leaders within ODM have legitimate political ambitions and should not be sidelined by senior figures seeking to protect their personal interests.
He accused some officials of prioritising self-preservation over the party’s broader objectives, warning against what he termed as attempts to “auction” the party to the highest bidder.
He dismissed claims that his leadership ambitions only emerged following the death of the party’s founder, Raila Odinga, stating that his intentions had been clear long before.
“I made it known that I wanted to lead ODM even when Raila was still alive,” he said. “We used to say, ‘Baada ya Baba ni Babu,’ and that position has never changed.”
Loyalty to ODM and Raila’s Legacy
Despite his sharp criticism, Babu insisted that he remains loyal to ODM and deeply respectful of its senior leadership, including current party leader Oburu Odinga. However, he warned against dismissing the aspirations of younger members.
“Our elders must understand that young people also have ambitions,” he said. “Should someone wait until they are 70, 80, or 90 to lead a party? Leadership renewal should be allowed.”
Babu further claimed that the ideological spirit of Raila Odinga lives on in a new generation of ODM leaders, including Winnie Odinga and party Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, who has recently faced internal resistance.
He also expressed concern over what he described as the marginalisation of Raila Odinga’s family within the party, terming recent threats against them as disrespectful to the former prime minister’s legacy.
Oburu Responds
The remarks have heightened tensions within ODM, particularly as questions emerge over the criteria for electing party leaders and the legitimacy of the current leadership structure.
In response, Oburu Odinga has previously downplayed the threats of a parallel NDC, stating that he is ready to call the official conference and face critics directly.
He dismissed claims that his leadership ambitions only emerged following the death of the party’s founder, Raila Odinga, stating that his intentions had been clear long before.
“I made it known that I wanted to lead ODM even when Raila was still alive,” he said. “We used to say, ‘Baada ya Baba ni Babu,’ and that position has never changed.”
Loyalty to ODM and Raila’s Legacy
Despite his sharp criticism, Babu insisted that he remains loyal to ODM and deeply respectful of its senior leadership, including current party leader Oburu Odinga. However, he warned against dismissing the aspirations of younger members.
“Our elders must understand that young people also have ambitions,” he said. “Should someone wait until they are 70, 80, or 90 to lead a party? Leadership renewal should be allowed.”
Babu further claimed that the ideological spirit of Raila Odinga lives on in a new generation of ODM leaders, including Winnie Odinga and party Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, who has recently faced internal resistance.
He also expressed concern over what he described as the marginalisation of Raila Odinga’s family within the party, terming recent threats against them as disrespectful to the former prime minister’s legacy.
Oburu Responds
The remarks have heightened tensions within ODM, particularly as questions emerge over the criteria for electing party leaders and the legitimacy of the current leadership structure.
In response, Oburu Odinga has previously downplayed the threats of a parallel NDC, stating that he is ready to call the official conference and face critics directly.
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