MP Babu Owino advocates for youth empowerment in talks with Burkina Faso leadership

Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino kept the country guessing his next political moves after he announced that he is presently visiting Burkina Faso under the invite of the country’s government.

Burkina Faso is presently led by Captain Ibrahim Traore, who took over the country’s leadership following a successful coup in September 2022. The 36-year-old Traore has quickly become a darling amongst the continent’s youthful populace due to his mannerisms, even on the international stage.

Mr. Owino’s latest visit to Burkina Faso has now brought forth debate on X, with a section of online users now referring to him as the ‘Kenyan Traore,’ in reference both to their almost similar youthfulness and perceived ideologies.

“In the meeting, we discussed the deep relations that the people of Kenya and Burkina Faso have enjoyed over the years. We emphasized how we could leverage the youth demographic dividend to spur economic transformation in both our countries,” stated Mr. Owino.

“Recognizing the need for strong trade ties, H.E Jean Marie assured me that he would champion stronger trade relations between Burkina Faso and Kenya and implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCTA).”

The lawmaker went on to add that the Minister conveyed greetings from President Traore and acknowledged the growing demand for change, employment, and economic progress among Burkina Faso’s Gen Z, a sentiment echoed across the continent.

“H.E Jean Marie conveyed greetings from H.E President Ibrahim Traore and explained that the GenZ in Burkina Faso similarly want change, employment and economic transformation in their country, a vision that we both share,” noted the outspoken Kenyan legislator.

“We agreed to work together to reenergize and strengthen the Pan-African Youth Parliament as a mechanism for dialogue about our continental challenges, ranging from food insecurity, conflict and disease. This is the beginning of a long and fruitful collaboration between us and the Burkinabe leadership and people.”

Mr. Owino later visited the memorial site of Burkina Faso’s late revolutionary president Thomas Sankara who was assassinated in 1987.

While there, the MP posted photos of himself with his fist up in the air, a revolutionary sign that was synonymous with Sankara, and that has now trickled don to Traore as well.