What it will take for Babu Owino to take over from Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga as opposition leader!!
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has emerged as a potential successor to Raila Odinga as the ODM party leader and Kenya’s opposition figurehead.
While his youth and popularity among Kenyans are assets, Owino faces challenges in securing party support, building alliances, and managing public perception.
His determination and recent defiance of party norms suggest a readiness to challenge the status quo, but the journey to leadership will require strategic maneuvering.
Embakasi East Member of Parliament, Babu Owino, has in the recent shared his party leadership ambition. He has made it clear that he wants to succeed Raila Odinga as the leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). Additionally, he aspires to become Kenya’s opposition leader. This development comes amid Odinga’s bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship, potentially leaving a leadership vacuum within ODM and the country.
In August 2024, Owino publicly declared his intention to assume the ODM leadership, asserting his readiness to lead the party and challenge President William Ruto in the 2027 general elections. He emphasized his youth, intelligence, and popularity among Kenyans as key attributes qualifying him for the role. It is without a doubt that no one amongst his peers stands a better chance at trying the old shoes that Raila Odinga has worn for a long time now.
Owino’s aspirations have not been without controversy and opposition. In March 2024, he openly opposed Odinga’s endorsement of former governors Wycliffe Oparanya and Hassan Joho as potential successors. He insisted on being included in the party’s succession plans. He warned that excluding him could lead to internal conflicts within ODM. He has also been vocal and against the coalition of the government and the opposition citing that it leaves no watchdog over the government.
Babu Owino has proven himself to be an avid leader. He is a strong mobilizer and politician. However, assuming Odinga’s position is quite a hard toll. To position himself as a viable successor, Owino must navigate several challenges:
- Party Support: Securing backing from ODM’s central management and grassroots members is crucial especially in Luo Nyanza where Odinga is virtually a demigod over his people. Besides, he must win support from other regions in the country. These include Western, Eastern, and the Coast. They have always given Raila their unwavering support. It can’t just be assumed that they will offer the same support to Owino.
- Building Alliances: Establishing strategic partnerships within the party and the broader political landscape is essential. Owino’s recent defiance of ODM’s stance on supporting President Ruto’s administration has garnered attention. Figures like Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua support his position. He must create alliances smartly to position himself as a national leader and not a tribal leader.
- Public Perception: Maintaining a positive image and demonstrating leadership capabilities are vital. Owino’s assertiveness and appeal to the youth could be advantageous, but he must also address concerns about his confrontational approach. This will be challenging. It is especially true when dealing with individuals from Central and Rift Valley provinces. They are threatened by a revolutionary type of leader and may require a different approach.
- Have a track record of performance. Kenyans like a leader that performs well especially by starting projects and initiatives that help people. Babu Owino needs to put more work to appear as a leader that Kenyans can rely on for change.
In conclusion, while Babu Owino has expressed a strong desire to succeed Raila Odinga as ODM’s flag bearer and opposition leader, achieving this goal will require him to secure internal party support, build strategic alliances, and positively influence public perception. His recent actions indicate a determination to play a significant role in Kenya’s political future, but the path to leadership will demand careful navigation of the complex political terrain.
Do you think Babu Owino has what it takes to replace Raila Odinga??
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