Babu Owino rubbishes reports of fallout with Sifuna, urges opposition unity to defeat Ruto

Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has dismissed reports of a political rift between him and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, reaffirming his support for his fellow Linda Mwananchi movement co-principal and calling for a united opposition ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Speaking while meeting the youth on Wednesday, Babu said reports suggesting that he no longer supports Sifuna’s presidential bid were part of attempts to divide the opposition and weaken its efforts to challenge President William Ruto’s administration.

He urged supporters to stand firmly with Sifuna, saying the two had built their political partnership from the grassroots and should not be separated by online reports.

“Nataka mtushikilie mikono…mshikilie Sifuna kama my brother, mshikilie Babu Owino pia…raundi hio tukipeleka mambo mbele, tuskume ndugu yetu (Sifuna),” Babu said.

He said Sifuna should be supported as he seeks to align himself 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.”

He dismissed reports of disagreements between himself and Sifuna, arguing that their political partnership was deliberate and that abandoning it would only benefit the government.

“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,” said the 2027 Nairobi gubernatorial aspirant.

The MP also addressed reports emerging from Homa Bay, where his remarks on Kalonzo Musyoka had been interpreted as evidence of differences with Sifuna.

He warned that attempts to portray opposition leaders as divided could derail their efforts to challenge Ruto in the next election.

“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.

The vocal lawmaker accused the government of working to fracture the opposition, claiming that its perceived efforts included deploying 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 objectives.

“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.

He nevertheless struck a defiant tone, saying the opposition would respond to political attacks through faith and unity 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.