Acting Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Dr. Oburu Oginga has moved to dispel growing tensions within the party, assuring Embakasi East MP Babu Owino that he will not be sidelined in the race for the Nairobi gubernatorial ticket.
Speaking during an interview on Ramogi TV on Tuesday night, Oburu dismissed fears that Babu could be denied the party ticket even if he wins the nominations.
“I do not know why he believes he cannot be given the ODM ticket to vie for Nairobi Governor. I do not think there can be any reason to deny him the ticket if he wins the nominations. If he wins, he will get it, so let him not run away from the party,” Oburu said.
He urged all aspirants seeking the Nairobi gubernatorial ticket to prepare for a transparent contest, emphasizing that ODM’s nomination process will be open and fair.
“Anyone who wants the party ticket in the Nairobi Governor race should just declare and square it out openly among each other. Let nobody run away because they think they will be denied a chance. Nobody can take the ticket away from you if you win it and you’re a member of the party,” he added.
Oburu also revealed that he has been trying to reach out to Babu Owino personally to reassure him of the party’s commitment to fairness.
“I have not found him yet but I’m looking for him. I have sent people to look for him. I know I will find him soon so that we can have a conversation and I can tell him to keep calm and not worry,” he said.
Turning to ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, who has faced criticism for allegedly sending mixed signals—speaking both as a party official and in his personal capacity—Oburu dismissed the claims, saying there is no internal rift.
“Sifuna is the one who read out the resolutions of the party after our meeting. I have spoken to him, and he has no problem,” Oburu stated.
“As a young person, sometimes he can become restless and go a little overboard, but he is with us and he will stay with us. There’s nothing he has done to warrant us removing him from the party. If he goes astray, as our child, we may just discipline him a little but within the party.”
On the question of who should succeed former Prime Minister Raila Odinga as the next Luo political kingpin, Oburu maintained that such leadership cannot be appointed or predetermined.
“There’s no forum where a Luo kingpin is elected. A kingpin will sprout out of nowhere like a mushroom; someone will just emerge and take Raila’s space—but not from his agemates like myself,” he said.
He added that emerging young leaders will naturally take up the mantle when the time comes, emphasizing that leadership must be earned through public acceptance.
“There are young leaders cropping up and one of them will step up and take that place. But if we handpick somebody and the people do not accept him, then they will still not be kingpin,” he concluded.
