Babu Owino Addresses Concerns Over His Relationship With Sifuna

Embakasi East Member of Parliament (MP) Babu Owino has denied claims of a strained relationship with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.

Speaking to the press on Tuesday, September 15, Babu stated there was no reason for him to be at loggerheads with Sifuna because there was no conflict of interest, as they were running for different seats.

He further denied allegations that he was jealous of Sifuna and was trying to sabotage Sifuna's presidential campaign.

"Those who are in doubt of the relationship that I have with my brother Sifuna, you have to know that I have no particular challenge or problem with him."

"Some are even going as far as saying that Babu is jealous of Sifuna. Babu Owino is vying for Nairobi Governor, and Sifuna is vying for president. There is no conflicting interest. There is no way Babu will fight Sifuna, so do not bring tension where there is none.

The MP accused the government of trying to create a perception of division within Linda Mwananchi, which was growing in strength and popularity.

"When I look at the fights from certain quarters, which of course are also being engineered by the government, we need to be united, and if not, we will be roasted individually," he added.

Babu further responded to claims that he and Sifuna were fighting over the Linda Mwananchi Party Leadership.

He confirmed that he had his own party, which he formed earlier this year. The MP stated that during a retreat, he and three patrons from the Linda Mwananchi team agreed that they needed a party through which the movement would contest elective seats.

The Emabakasi East lawmaker added that four parties were proposed, including Caleb Amisi Peiple's Renaissance Movement (PM), but only two were eligible at the time.

"Two of the parties were ot fully registered, while Amisi had not picked up his certificate. So the only party that was left was supposed to be my political party," he stated.

Babu added that along the way, a new principal joined the movement with a party known as Ukombozi People's Party and suggested that Sifuna be the party leader.

"We met in Sifuna's office, and I asked him about the Ukombozi party, my party and which one we would use. He was clear and said that there was no problem with having a coalition as Linda Mwananchi so that both he and I are party leaders," he stated.

He reiterated that he formed the party even before the late Raila Odinga died. The MP further explained that he would not want to suffer the same fate as leaders who went into politial agreements without their parties.