FACT CHECK: Has ODM Picked Babu Owino to Replace Sifuna as Secretary‑General?

There have been claims on social media that the ODM Party has picked Embakasi East MP Babu Owino to replace Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as Secretary-General.

Babu Owino posted a notice for a Special National Delegates Conference, claiming that the meeting would be held on March 27, 2026, with the venue to be communicated to members in due course.

However, a fact check by Hivileo.co.ke has established that the notice posted by Babu Owino is fake.

The notice was claimed to have been published in the Daily Nation on Wednesday, March 19, 2026. The date is incorrect, as Wednesday was actually March 18, not March 19 as stated in the notice.

Additionally, the notice is not available in any edition of the Daily Nation published on either Wednesday, March 18 or Thursday, March 19.

Further, the newspaper also seems to have been edited since it does not follow the household styles of The Daily Nation newspaper.

Details of the Fake Notice

According to the FAKE notice, the conference will also:

1. Receive and consider a report from the National Executive Committee (NEC) on resolutions submitted by the ODM Nairobi Branch.
2. Approve proposals endorsed in principle by the NEC, including:
   • The creation of an additional position of Deputy Party Leader to accommodate Hon. Winnie Odinga.
   • The endorsement of Hon. Babu Owino as a candidate for the position of Secretary-General.
3. Receive and note the reinstatement of Hon. Caleb Amisi as Deputy Organizing Secretary and his readmission to the NEC.
4. Consider and approve any other matters arising during the conference.

Babu Owino Rejects Offer

While responding to the fake notice, Babu Owino dismissed ODM, saying he is only interested in replacing Dr. Oburu Oginga as the party leader.

“I want to be the Party Leader, not Secretary General,” Babu Owino said.

ODM Removes Sifuna as Secretary General

In February 2026, the Orange Democratic Movement National Executive Committee (NEC) resolved to remove Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna from his position as party Secretary‑General during a meeting in Mombasa, citing concerns about his conduct and alleged indiscipline within the party’s leadership ranks.

The NEC appointed Catherine Omanyo, then Deputy Secretary‑General, to serve in an acting capacity while a new substantive appointee was chosen.

Also Read: ODM Takes Final Stand on Sifuna and Oburu Oginga

Sifuna rejected the NEC’s decision as unlawful and procedurally flawed, saying he was not given a chance to respond to any complaints or disciplinary actions and insisting he remained the validly elected Secretary‑General.

He maintained that the move violated the party constitution and principles of natural justice and blamed internal political disagreements for the action against him.

Also Read: ODM Loyalist Mumbi Ngaru Commits 2027 Vote to Party Ideals

Court Ruling

In response, Sifuna challenged the NEC resolution at the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT).

On February 12, 2026, the tribunal issued interim orders halting the implementation of the party’s decision and restraining the ODM and the Registrar of Political Parties from publishing the resolution in the Kenya Gazette, pending a full hearing.

The tribunal later scheduled a hearing on March 26, 2026, to determine whether the NEC’s removal of Sifuna complied with party rules and the law, with both sides presenting arguments.

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Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has rejected ODM’s offer to replace Edwin Sifuna as Secretary-General, insisting that he wants to be the party leader. PHOTO/ Babu Owino FB.