Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has explained why he skipped the joint Parliamentary Group meeting between the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
According to him, the main reason was that he was not consulted before the meeting was held, despite being a loyal member of ODM.
The meeting, which took place on Monday, August 18, was convened by President William Ruto together with ODM leader Raila Odinga.
Many ODM lawmakers were in attendance, but Babu’s absence stood out, raising questions about his loyalty and current position within the party.
On Thursday, August 21, Babu Owino addressed the matter, assuring his supporters that he had not abandoned ODM.
He emphasized that he still respected Raila Odinga as the party leader, but insisted that his voice and the views of his constituents should have been considered before such high-level political decisions were made.
Feeling Left Out in Key Decisions
The second-term legislator expressed disappointment that he was sidelined in crucial discussions, including the drafting of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report and the subsequent agreement on forming a broad-based government.
“I respect Raila Odinga, he is my party leader. However, when the NADCO report was being prepared and when ODM and UDA agreed on the broad-based government (BBG), I was not consulted,” Babu said.
“As a Member of Parliament, I represent thousands of constituents whose opinions matter. If I was not consulted during these processes, then it becomes questionable why I should be expected to take part in meetings that overlook my role,” he added.
ODM’s Democratic Nature
Babu Owino further highlighted that ODM has always stood for democracy and free expression of opinion. He noted that Raila Odinga himself has publicly stated that members within the party are free to voice their thoughts, even if they do not always align.
“Raila has reminded us that ODM is a democratic party. People have a right to speak their minds. We cannot all think the same way. I also have a democratic right to stand up against anything that is wrong in this country, and I will not side with a government if it turns oppressive. My duty is to oversight the government, not to serve its interests,” he explained.
Partisan Divisions and Political Stance
The joint parliamentary meeting between ODM and UDA focused on putting aside partisan divisions in order to work together for the national good. Both parties agreed to prioritize Kenya’s interests over political rivalry.
However, Babu Owino has remained one of the strongest internal critics of this arrangement. Alongside Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, he has voiced dissatisfaction with the idea of a broad-based government and expressed concerns about ODM’s cooperation with the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Standing Firm on Oversight
Despite the handshake-like cooperation between the opposition and the government, Babu insisted that his position as a legislator will not change. He reaffirmed his commitment to the constitutional mandate of Parliament—to represent the people, make laws, and hold the executive accountable.
“Parliament must remain independent. Its role is to make laws for Kenyans and to keep the government in check, not to rubber-stamp the executive’s agenda,” Babu Owino declared.
This statement from Babu Owino reflects ongoing divisions within ODM as the party grapples with internal disagreements on how to relate with the government.
While he maintains loyalty to Raila Odinga, Babu has made it clear that he will not compromise his duty to his constituents or his role as an oversight voice in Parliament.
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