Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has declared that he does not need a party to run for political office, saying his personal brand is bigger than most parties in Kenya.
Speaking on Friday, August 29, Owino asserted that his popularity and political influence stand on their own.
"The name Babu Owino, isn't it bigger than almost 100% of the the political parties in this country? So, Babu Owino alone is a political party; Babu Owino can be elected without a party," he said.
Owino also defended his loyalty to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), insisting that he and other members who voice their views are not rebelling against the party.
"We are not rebelling in ODM, we are not rebels; we are working within the dictates and the principles of the party. And democracy dictates that the majority will have their way, while the minority will have their say.
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"Within ODM, Raila Odinga himself said that you're allowed to speak, you're allowed to be democratically correct. Being democratically correct means that those majority let them have their way, and also the minority within ODM also should have their say. And that is what we are trying to do," he added.
Owino pointed out that ODM lawmakers who jeered party leader Raila Odinga during a joint parliamentary group meeting with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) are the rebels.
"Those who are rebels are the ones who went to boo Raila the other day when they called for a joint PG, that is UDA and ODM. Why did ODM MPs decide to boo Raila? Ain't that rebellion? Ain't that lack of loyalty? That is disloyalty. For those of us who didn't go, we knew what was going to happen, so we didn't want to be part of the people who were planning to boo Raila," he further said.
During the PG meeting on Monday, August 18, MPs repeatedly interrupted and heckled Raila during his address over the role of parliament and constituency development funds.
He argued that parliament's constitutional mandate does not include implementing projects, drawing fierce opposition from the legislators present.
Raila sought to clarify the constitutional functions of parliament, stating that the legislature's role is limited to three key areas.
"So the work of parliament is representation, legislation, and oversight. It is very clear. It is written there in the constitution. Parliament is not supposed to be implementing. Parliament is supposed to be oversighting," he explained amid constant interruptions from MPs.
Raila emphasized that only two levels of devolution are recognized in the constitution - national and county governments - disputing any suggestion that constituencies form part of the devolved structure.
"Secondly, there are only two levels of devolution. There is national and one level, county. Constituency is not an element of devolution. Devolution remains at the county," he stated.
Disagreeing with Raila, the MPs continued to heckle and interrupt his speech, forcing him to plead for a hearing.
"Listen to me. Let me say it. And then you will have a chance to come and respond," Raila appealed. "A very famous English politician said that I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend your right until death. So listen to me.”
