NAIROBI, Kenya – Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has dismissed reports of a political fallout with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, reaffirming his support for the Linda Mwananchi movement co-principal and calling for a united opposition ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking while meeting youth on Wednesday, Babu said reports suggesting that he no longer supports Sifuna’s presidential ambitions were part of attempts to divide the opposition and weaken its efforts to challenge President William Ruto’s administration.
He urged supporters to remain firmly behind Sifuna, saying the two had built their political partnership from the grassroots and should not be separated by reports circulating online.
“Nataka mtushikilie mikono…mshikilie Sifuna kama my brother, mshikilie Babu Owino pia…raundi hio tukipeleka mambo mbele, tuskume ndugu yetu (Sifuna),” Babu said.
Babu backs Sifuna’s presidential ambitions
The Embakasi East MP said Sifuna should be supported as he seeks to work with other opposition figures, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Siaya Governor James Orengo, former Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i and retired President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Babu maintained that the opposition could only defeat the Kenya Kwanza administration if its leaders put aside their differences and work together.
“Tunataka tuskumane tu kwa sababu sisi sote kama Wakenya tuko na shida moja, na hiyo shida ni hii serikali ambayo haifanyi kazi. Mnataka tubadilishaje hii maisha kama hatujaungana?” he posed.
“Ndio maana mimi nasema ili tutoe hii serikali, opposition lazima iwe united. Tukishikana hivo, tuko na solution; lakini tukiwa divided, hakuna penye tunaenda. Na hii serikali inafanya juu chini ili opposition iwe divided.”
Babu dismisses reports of disagreement
Babu rejected claims that his relationship with Sifuna had deteriorated, arguing that their political partnership was deliberate and had been built over time.
“Sasa ndugu yangu mwenye nimeanza na yeye, tumekuja na yeye huku juu, simtaki tena aje? Kama singemtaka si hatungeshikana kuanzia kule chini. So lazima tuwe united for us to deal with such a government,” he said.
The lawmaker, who is also a 2027 Nairobi gubernatorial aspirant, said abandoning their partnership would only strengthen the government.
He also addressed reports emerging from Homa Bay, where remarks he made about Kalonzo Musyoka had been interpreted as evidence of differences between him and Sifuna.
Homa Bay remarks spark speculation
Babu said his comments about Kalonzo should not be interpreted as an indication that he had abandoned Sifuna.
“Babu akienda kule Homa Bay, ameongea juu ya Kalonzo pia, sasa ati Babu hataki Sifuna, anataka Kalonzo. Hawa watu wawili wakiseparate, Ruto amerudi, asubuhi mapema,” he said.
He warned that attempts to portray opposition leaders as divided could undermine efforts to build a broad political coalition ahead of the 2027 election.
Babu said opposition leaders should remain focused on their common political objectives rather than allowing disagreements or competing personalities to fracture their movement.
Claims government is seeking to divide opposition
The Embakasi East MP accused the government of working to weaken the opposition by exploiting divisions and using bloggers and online supporters to attack opposition figures.
He said opposition leaders should expect attacks both online and on the ground but insisted that such pressure would not deter them from pursuing their political goals.
“Government haitalala, kwa sababu wata-unleash bloggers; online goons wanaku-attack huko kwa mtandao, ukikuja kwa ground kuna ground goons wanaku-attack hapa. So wana-attack from all directions,” Babu said.
Despite the political tensions, he said the opposition would respond through unity and faith rather than violence.
“But sisi tunasema they will come against us with goons, rungus, pangas, mishale, but we will go against them in the name of the Almighty God. Ni Mwenyezi Mungu ndiye atatupigania,” he said.
Babu’s remarks come as opposition leaders intensify consultations and mobilisation ahead of the 2027 General Election, with efforts underway to unite different political formations behind a common strategy to challenge Ruto.
