Gitonga Mukunji: Babu Owino defines ODM
By Nancy Marende, October 21, 2025Manyatta Member of Parliament (MP) Gitonga Mukunji has praised his Embakasi counterpart Babu Owino, describing him as a key pillar of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and a true representative of the people.
In a statement shared on social media on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, Mukunji said that the ODM party should not be seen as defining Babu, but rather that Babu Owino defines what the ODM party stands for
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“The ODM party does not define Babu. It is Babu that defines the ODM party. Usitishwe! The future belongs to those that stand with the people,” Mukunji wrote.
Babu on joining Wiper party
This comes a few weeks after Owino addressed his close association with Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka amid speculations that he was defecting from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.
Speaking during an interview on a local radio station on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, Owino brushed off the claims, stating that his close ties with Kalonzo are purely personal.
“Up to now, Kalonzo has always communicated with Raila Odinga. He calls Raila, and Raila calls him back. If Raila and Kalonzo communicate, what is wrong when I communicate with Kalonzo?” he posed.
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The lawmaker questioned why he was being labelled a rebel within the party for merely communicating with Kalonzo, who he insisted was his Azimio coalition principal before defecting to the United Opposition.
“When Kalonzo was in Azimio, he was a good man. What has he done wrong now? Leaving politics out of this, Kalonzo can still talk to Baba; if Kalonzo can talk to Baba, why can’t I talk to him?” People have begun saying that I have started being rude.”
He explained that there was nothing wrong with maintaining contact with political allies, reiterating that his association with Kalonzo should not be misinterpreted.