Babu Owino sets 2 conditions for attending ODM NDC

Embakasi East Member of Parliament (MP) Babu Owino/FILE

Embakasi East Member of Parliament (MP) Babu Owino has set clear conditions for his participation in the next Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) National Delegates Conference (NDC), insisting that the meeting must be procedurally called and delegates audited.

Speaking on Citizen TV’s Sunday Live show, Babu said he cannot attend what he described as an illegally convened NDC.

“We do not want an NDC that is not procedurally called. We want an NDC called by the Secretary General,” he said.

“If the Secretary General, Edwin Sifuna, does not call the NDC, it will not be an NDC; it will be a kangaroo meeting.”

Owino criticised the recent installation of the party leader immediately after the passing of former ODM party leader Raila Odinga, popularly known as Baba, saying the process was rushed and lacked transparency.

“Baba dies a day like today, and tomorrow you are installed as the party leader. Why the hurry? Baba wasn’t even buried, and already the party was taken,” he said.

“What was the hurry about and the manner in which it was done? That meeting was an illegal meeting; it was not procedurally called.”

Babu emphasised the importance of respecting party procedures and maintaining public trust, saying that delegates must be audited and the agenda clearly outlined for any NDC meeting to be valid.

“We can only attend an NDC if the delegates are audited and if it is called by the SG, who is Edwin Sifuna. If Sifuna does not call the NDC, it will not be an NDC; it will be a kangaroo meeting,” he said.

He further noted that he made those remarks on Oburu Odinga’s involvement, with a lot of respect for him as a leader, but added that public interest and adherence to procedure are paramount.

“The manner in which some leaders conducted themselves was not procedural. We were elected by Kenyans, and we will not let them down by playing games,” he said.

Owino’s remarks come amid ongoing internal disagreements within ODM following attempts by some party leaders to withdraw Sifuna from his position as Secretary General.

The disputes triggered tensions over succession, leadership and procedural adherence in the party.

Nevertheless, the courts intervened and reaffirmed Sifuna’s position as the lawful Secretary General, clearing the way for him to convene party meetings in line with ODM’s constitution.