Embakasi East MP Babu Owino caused a stir at the ODM's 20th anniversary celebrations in Mombasa, openly criticising party leadership appointments while also attacking the Kenya Kwanza government.
During the festivities, amid the pomp and ceremony, Babu Owino gave an impassioned speech in which he challenged the new ODM party leader, Oburu Odinga, and reiterated his own capabilities as a leader.
He also complained about the current ODM hierarchy sidelining him and vowed to continue opposing the Kenya Kwanza administration.
"My Secretary General (Edwin Sifuna) allowed me a few more minutes because I know the bosses will not give me such a platform again," Babu Owino said amid cheers and excitement from the crowd.
"Let me speak because when Raila was alive, I used to speak for one hour. To Baba the great, we want to tell our people to rise with courage, strength and conviction because we know we are stronger than our oppressors."
In what was arguably his boldest sentiment of the day, the vocal lawmaker vowed to further the trend of protests if the cost of living kept soaring.
He went on, "I want to assure Raila wherever he is, if the cost of living goes up, we will stage protests. If cost of education goes up, we will stage protests whether they like it or not."
In his speech, the lawmaker referenced the confirmation of Oburu Odinga as party leader on Thursday as he questioned why he was not considered for any leadership position in the party.
"I saw the other day some ODM members were given new positions. I want to ask you, didn't Babu Owino suit any seat? I want to confirm here that I am very capable of becoming party leader."
Aside from Oburu's appointment, the party also made several leadership appointments, including the approval of the appointment of Kisumu Woman Rep Ruth Odinga as Deputy Organising Secretary.
Cracks within the party also manifested when the late Raila Odinga's daughter Winnie Odinga questioned those positioning themselves to manage the relationship between ODM and the Kenya Kwanza government, insisting that was the sole role of Raila Odinga.
Winnie proceeded to request the ODM leadership to convene a delegates meeting to decide the best candidate to manage the relationship between ODM and Kenya Kwanza.
"We need to go back to the people and have a meeting and see who the people want to pick to manage the same relationship," Winnie Odinga said.
