Oburu Odinga Dismisses Fake ODM Notice Proposing Babu Owino as Secretary General

Oburu Odinga Dismisses Fake ODM Notice Proposing Babu Owino as Secretary General

A leadership storm has erupted within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) after a viral publication circulating on social media falsely claimed that Embakasi East MP Babu Owino had been proposed for the party’s Secretary General position.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Thursday, March 19, party leader Oburu Odinga dismissed the document as fabricated, insisting he had neither authorised nor issued such a notice.

“This publication is fake. As the Party Leader of ODM, I have not issued any such statement, and no such content has appeared in any newspaper,” Oburu said.

Viral Notice Sparks Confusion

The disputed document, purportedly published in the Daily Nation on March 18, announced a National Delegates Conference (NDC) scheduled for March 26 and listed a series of agenda items — including the nomination of Babu Owino as Secretary General to replace Edwin Sifuna.

The circular spread rapidly online after it was shared by Babu Owino himself, fuelling speculation about major leadership changes within the party.

Party officials moved quickly to disown the notice, warning members against relying on unofficial communications.

Babu Owino Rejects the Claim

Babu Owino also distanced himself from the alleged proposal, clarifying that he had not sought the Secretary General role.

In a social media response accompanied by the fake notice, the legislator reiterated his political ambitions within the party hierarchy.

“I want to be the Party Leader, not Secretary General. The Secretary General remains Edwin Sifuna,” he wrote.

His remarks added another layer to the unfolding drama, signalling potential future leadership contests even as he rejected the authenticity of the document.

Internal Party Tensions Surface

Beyond the alleged nomination, the fake notice outlined several leadership changes purportedly to be discussed at the NDC, intensifying scrutiny over the party’s internal dynamics.

The controversy comes at a sensitive time as ODM prepares for its first National Delegates Conference since the death of its long-time leader Raila Odinga, a figure widely credited with shaping the party’s identity and direction for nearly two decades.

The conference is officially scheduled for March 27, though disagreements have already emerged over its legitimacy and organisation.

Rival Factions at Odds

The proposed meeting has been strongly opposed by the “Linda Mwananchi” faction associated with Senator Sifuna, which has announced plans to hold a parallel gathering on the same day.

Supporters of the faction argue that, under the party constitution, only the Secretary General has the authority to convene a National Delegates Conference.

Opposing voices within ODM, including members of the “Linda Ground” faction, interpret the rules differently, maintaining that the constitution provides broader provisions on how the conference can be called and that the Secretary General’s role is limited to notifying members once the decision is made.

These competing interpretations underscore deep divisions within the party ahead of what is expected to be a pivotal meeting.

Questions Over Party Stability

Political analysts say the circulation of fake documents and competing conference plans reflect underlying succession struggles as ODM navigates a transition period.

While Oburu Odinga’s swift dismissal helped contain immediate confusion, the incident has raised concerns about misinformation, factionalism, and the potential for further disputes over leadership positions.

Party insiders insist that official communications will be issued through recognised channels and have urged members to verify information before sharing it.

As preparations continue for the upcoming delegates’ conference, attention is now focused on whether the party can maintain unity during a period of significant change — or whether internal rivalries will deepen ahead of future electoral contests.

For now, the leadership has sought to reassure supporters that no official proposal exists regarding the Secretary General position, emphasising that any legitimate decisions will be communicated transparently and in accordance with party procedures.

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Oburu Odinga Dismisses Fake ODM Notice Proposing Babu Owino as Secretary General