Embakasi East Member of Parliament (MP) Babu Owino has declared himself the de-facto opposition leader, challenging the status quo and taking a stand against what he perceives as political opportunism.
During a media interview on Thursday, July 25, 2024, the controversial figure took a firm stance against Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leaders who recently accepted government positions in the Cabinet, accusing them of prioritising personal gain over the interests of the opposition movement.
“Actually from today henceforth, I am the chief opposition leader, because there are so many jokes, doing rounds. There are so many people, who are in the opposition, who are now in bed with the government,” Babu remarked.
Greedy and self-serving
Babu Owino did not mince his words, labelling the ODM defectors as ‘greedy’ and ‘power-hungry’ highlighting the disconnect between their actions and the core values of the opposition.
According to Babu, he revealed that he was distancing himself from those leaders and defending the initial ODM party’s decision to remain as the opposition.
Expressing deep disappointment and sorrow over the actions of some of his party colleagues, Babu Owino reflected a genuine concern for the welfare of the most vulnerable in Kenyan society adding that he would continue to fight for them.
Hon. Babu Owino: From today henceforth, I am the chief opposition leader. My interest is to fight for Kenyans. There are so many people who were in the opposition and are now in bed with the government. #K24Siasa pic.twitter.com/qHF16EhWqb
— K24 TV (@K24Tv) July 25, 2024
Fight for Kenyans
Babu Owino defended the party’s stance, adding that he would continue to fight for the underprivileged in Kenya, particularly the impoverished children lacking access to education and healthcare.
“My interest is to fight for Kenyans, it pains me to see a person who was a fellow member of parliament, joining the government. It pains me, to look back in Soweto slums, Kibera slums, to look back in central region, Nyanza, Coast and everywhere else, to see that child sent away because he lacks Ksh5000 to pay, for the schooling in a secondary school. I am so pained to see that child, who is stuck in hospital because they cannot be treated because they lack money,” Babu noted.
