Babu Owino Decries Silent Mistreatment in ODM: "I Can't Speak Publicly"
- There is turmoil in the ODM party, with some of the ranking members coming out to speak about the frustration they are experiencing
- Embakasi East MP Babu Owino is the latest, decrying being disrespected but forcing himself to bottle everything up for the sake of his respect for the party leader
- Earlier, secretary-general Edwin Sifuna had decried being muzzled and his right to authoritatively speak for the party being taken away
Eli Odaga, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has revealed the frustration within the ODM party that he has to endure without speaking about.
Source: Facebook
Speaking in a radio interview, the lawmaker revealed that he had forced himself to bottle everything up just to show respect to the party leader, Raila Odinga.
Is Babu Owino frustrated in ODM?
Babu did not, however, elaborate on the kind of challenges he is subjected to in the party, but hinted at the situation being "disrespectful."
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"I am an ODM MP, and I respect the party. Sometimes I'm disrespected at the party, but I can't speak in public because of the respect I have for Baba (Raila Odinga). The respect to an old man from his son. But no one should underrate me because I am clever," Babu said.
He, however, declared that he would not allow the party to stand in his way of pursuing his political ambitions.
The MP has been rumoured to be eyeing the Nairobi gubernatorial seat.
With the likelihood of being denied the ticket to give a shot at the city governorship in 2027, Babu hinted at going as an independent candidate.
"Many have been elected even without ODM or UDA tickets. There are those who won as independent candidates. If it's God's will, it's God's bill. God knows that Babu will be a leader and in what capacity. We will win the election with or without ODM ticket. We will win early in the morning, because it's citizens who elect. Party is just a vehicle. Many have been given tickets but still failed. It's the voter who knows who is the leader they want," he said.
The lawmaker's remarks came days after ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna decried opposing forces within the party.
Source: Twitter
Why is Edwin Sifuna unhappy in ODM?
Divisions have in the recent past rocked the Raila-led outfit, ever since he signed a working pact with President William Ruto's UDA party, with factions clashing on whether or not to support the government.
Sifuna belongs to the wing that is opposed to the president.
In an explosive television interview, he expounded on the difficulty he endures while undertaking his official duties owing to the influential forces that call the shots within.
He expressly stated that the memorandum of understanding his party entered into with UDA does not sit right with him and that it has placed him in a difficult place, having to balance between his personal conviction and the pursuits of the party in that pact.
Sifuna is openly opposed to Ruto's regime, which Raila has openly declared his support for until 2027.
He said he would continue with his role as the secretary general despite the foregoing challenges, with the hope that the party would adopt a different position in the long run.
Sifuna revealed he would resign from his post should the party declare it will not field a presidential candidate but instead back Ruto.
What did Raila say about Sifuna?
Raila defended Sifuna's recent fierce criticism of Ruto's government despite the existing cooperation partnership between ODM and the president's party, UDA.
The Nairobi senator's remarks angered a section of ODM leaders, who called for his dismissal and instant replacement for allegedly disrespecting Raila and disregarding the party's position on working with the government.
Raila said Sifuna has the right to criticise the government when he feels things are not going in the right direction.
The ODM leader reiterated that the outspoken secretary general remains the spokesperson of the party, adding that he has his full support.
Sifuna said he would only resign as the party SG if Raila asks him to do so.
Masolo Mabonga, HOD Current Affairs and Politics, updated this article with details on what Raila Odinga said about Edwin Sifuna.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
