Babu Owino denies role in Maverick Aoko’s claims about Ida Odinga
By Cynthia Lodite, December 15, 2025Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has addressed fallout allegations between him and the late Raila Odinga’s wife, Ida Odinga, after a cryptic message from his friend Maverick Aoko.
In a post on his official Facebook account on Monday, December 15, 2025, he described his relationship with Ida Odinga despite a different opinion from one of her friends.
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At the time, Babu acknowledged his friendship with the blogger Aoko but insisted that she operates independently and does not act on his instructions.
“Maverick Aoko is my friend and my fierce supporter, for which I’m truly grateful and appreciative. Oftentimes, when she posts on X, people are under the impression that I am the one who tells her what to post. Maverick is an independent-minded person,” Babu said.
On his part, Babu dismissed claims that he has been attacking the Odinga family while firmly stating that Winnie Odinga, Raila Junior, and Rosemary Odinga have been his long-term friends.
“I do not know her sources and have never told her to attack the Odinga family. Winnie Odinga is my friend, Junior is my friend, and Rosemary is my friend too. How can I insult their only mother?” Babu wrote.
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He went on explaining how Ida Odinga has held him as her son while welcoming him to her home.
“Mama Ida loves me like her own son, welcomes me home, and gives me food whenever I visit her. I can never insult such a mum. She’s been good to me, and I love her,” Babu noted.
His remarks come weeks after Ida Odinga had urged mourners not to forget her following the passing of her husband, the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
She spoke emotionally while thanking those who had travelled from far to pay their last respects to the late Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader at their Opoda Farm home on Friday, November 7, 2025.
Ida said the love and support shown by mourners had comforted her and given her strength during the difficult period. She expressed deep gratitude to everyone who had stood by the Odinga family, saying their presence meant more than words could express.
“Nimeanza kukaa hapa kwanzia saa tatu ama saa mbili mpaka sasa sijaamka. Kwa hivyo, hiyo nikuonyesha mapenzi ambayo nyinyi mko nayo kwetu, familia ya baba. Nafurahi na kila mtu ambaye amekuja,” Ida said.
She urged those who had gathered not to make it their last visit, saying that she valued their company and support.
Ida told mourners that their continued visits would help her feel less lonely now that she remains behind as the matriarch of the Odinga family.
“Na leo isikue mara yenu ya mwisho kuja kwangu. Unajua sasa ni mama amebaki, na mama akitembelewa na watoto anaskia vizuri sana. Kwa hivyo msinitupe, msiniwache, mtakua mkinitembelllea nyumbani na naomba mungu awabariki juu najua wengi wenu wanatoka mbali,” she added.
She noted that many of those present were long-time friends and supporters of the family from different parts of the country, particularly Kibera, where Raila Odinga once served as Member of Parliament. Ida said that even though Raila had left elective politics in Kibera, the family remained closely connected to the community.