Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has announced plans to launch a new political party in Nyanza to challenge ODM’s dominance, accusing the party’s leaders of failing to deliver development and lacking the courage to face defeat in the 2027 General Election.
Speaking in Kisumu on Saturday, the lawmaker said the party would give residents an opportunity to choose their leaders, insisting that its nominations would be conducted democratically.
“I will bring a party to Nyanza,” he said. “And the party we are bringing, we want to strengthen it. Any leader who does not do their work will have to go home.”
Owino said the party would not impose candidates on voters, promising that “the nominations will be fair” and that “there will be no direct tickets”.
He also appealed to young people to avoid political violence, warning against their use as instruments in political conflicts.
“I am telling the young people: we have been used like guns in politics,” he said. “I don't want us to fight because we have been weaponised.”
He urged young people to join his political movement and participate in politics without being used to attack their opponents.
His announcement comes amid growing political realignments ahead of the 2027 polls, with divisions within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) exposing competing positions over the party's future direction and its relationship with President William Ruto's administration.
Other ODM leaders who have hinted at charting independent political paths include Siaya Governor James Orengo, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka,Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi among other leaders associated with the Linda Mwananchi Movement.
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has agreed to form a coalition with President William Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA) to contest the 2027 General Election, setting the stage for a major political realignment.
The agreement was reached during a Broad-Based Government retreat in Naivasha, where Ruto and ODM leader Oburu Oginga agreed to move ahead with the coalition and establish joint teams to work out its details.
The teams are expected to negotiate the coalition framework, including governance and power-sharing arrangements, while another team will work on a joint manifesto to guide the alliance's campaign.