Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino now claims the organisers of Beryl Odinga’s funeral in Bondo, Siaya County, did not want him to address the mourners.
In a statement on his Facebook Page on Saturday, December 6, Babu said the crowd who attended the funeral spoke on his behalf after cheering him when he was mentioned.
“They never wanted me to speak today at the burial, but the people spoke for me,” said the ODM MP.
The Embakasi MP, who did not address the mourners, was recognised by Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo, who was reading the names of lawmakers attending the funeral.
Babu was also recognised by East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Ruth Odinga during the funeral.
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“Talking about unity, unity means you allow people, even those you don’t like…. I want a friend of mine to just wave where he is because he is part of us. That is my friend Babu Owino over there,” said Winnie amid cheers from the mourners.
Beryl passed away on November 25, close to a month after her elder brother, the late Raila Odinga, died.
She was laid to rest on Saturday at the Kang'o Ka Jaramogi in Bondo, Siaya County.
Babu’s remarks come months after he voiced his frustrations over what he perceives as unfair treatment within the ODM party.
Speaking on October 15, Babu questioned why his loyalty and commitment seem unappreciated despite years of service.
He revealed that Wiper Patriotic Front (WPF) leader Kalonzo Musyoka had offered him a senior leadership role, a move that has made him reflect on how he is valued in his own political home.
"I haven't yet joined the Wiper party. Kalonzo said, 'Babu, if you come to the Wiper party, I'll make you the Deputy Party Leader.' Which means they wish me well, so why is it that in my own house, ODM, I'm not wished well? Even a polling station chairman position, I can't be given?" Babu posed.
The ODM MP also appeared to acknowledge that his chances of securing an ODM ticket for the Nairobi gubernatorial seat in 2027 may be diminishing, citing recent political developments as evidence.
"I'm a politician. I saw my brother Sakaja being endorsed at the Bomas of Kenya. Even when he was almost impeached, they saved him. Raila and Ruto helped him. That's how I know my ticket with ODM is gone. Or will go," Babu added.
However, ODM Party leader Oburu Oginga assured Babu of the party’s ticket for the Nairobi gubernatorial seat in 2027 if he wins in the nominations.
The Siaya Senator urged Babu not to walk away from the party, assuring him that he will not be denied the ticket since he has been a loyal member of ODM.
“I don’t see any issue with Babu Owino. I have heard he is troubled, thinking ODM might block his bid for the Nairobi governor seat, but I don’t understand why he feels that way. If he wins the nominations, there’s absolutely no reason he wouldn’t get the ticket.
“He shouldn’t walk away. We want the Nairobi governor race to be open and competitive. There is no need for him to panic; we wouldn’t deny him the ticket, especially since he is one of us and has been a loyal ODM member for years,” said Oburu.
