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Babu Owino: There is no leader that I will love like Raila
14th January, 2026 11:22 PM
Embakasi East Member of Parliament (MP) Babu Owino has made an emotional declaration of loyalty to the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, saying there is no other leader in Kenya he has ever loved, or will love, the way he loves Raila.
Speaking during an interview with a local TV station on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. Babu said his admiration and devotion to Raila Odinga runs deep and is rooted in shared sacrifice, struggle, and unwavering commitment.
“Deep down in my heart, I loved Baba, and I still love Baba. There is no other leader in this country that I will ever love the way I loved Raila,” Babu said.
The outspoken legislator recounted the risks he took while campaigning for Raila, revealing that he traversed almost the entire country in support of his presidential bid.
“We campaigned together. I went to 280 constituencies out of 290 because of Baba,” he said.
Babu also spoke of the personal cost he paid for his loyalty, including abduction and physical attacks, which he linked directly to his support for Raila Odinga.
“I was the first person to be abducted in this government. I was disappeared for three good days because of the love I had for Baba,” he claimed.
He recalled violent confrontations during campaigns, including an incident in Soy and a helicopter attack that nearly turned fatal.
“We were beaten in Soy. The chopper that was stoned, we were almost dying in that chopper because of my love for Baba. I was Baba’s boy, his right-hand man and errand boy. That is the love I had for Baba,” he added.
Turning to the future of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), Babu Owino said the party must now confront a critical leadership question as Raila transitions from the frontlines of active politics.
“The general is dead; long live the general and the general is still alive. We must ask ourselves one simple question in ODM: what kind of general do we need to take after Baba? Do we need the weakest, the strongest, or a parachuted general?”
Drawing a biblical parallel, Babu likened Raila to Moses and the party’s future leader to Joshua.
“Our Moses is gone. When he was leaving, he stopped at Mount Nebo and handed over to Joshua. The question is, do we need a Joshua who is Moses’ age, older, or younger?” he posed.
“We need a Joshua who is younger than Moses—with the vim, vigour, and courage to lead the people Baba left into Canaan.”
