Babu Owino, the outspoken Embakasi East MP, has been increasingly vocal about his feelings of betrayal within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). His grievances center around being sidelined for key leadership positions, alleged favoritism within the party, and recent political realignments that appear to undermine his ambitions. As the 2027 elections approach, his political future remains uncertain, with several potential paths available to him.
Why Babu Owino Feels Betrayed
1. Overlooked for Key Leadership Positions (2022)
Incident:
After the 2022 general elections, Babu Owino expected to be appointed chair of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), a powerful oversight role in Parliament.
Betrayal:
Instead, the position was given to John Mbadi, a close ally of ODM leader Raila Odinga. This move was seen as reinforcing the party’s preference for veteran politicians over younger leaders.
Owino’s Reaction:
“We, the young leaders, have sacrificed a lot for this party. We have invested our time, resources, and energy, only to be sidelined when it comes to rewarding loyalty and hard work.”
2. Raila’s Alleged Support for Sakaja in 2027
Incident:
Reports have emerged that Raila Odinga is backing Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, a UDA politician, for re-election in 2027.
Betrayal:
Owino, who has gubernatorial ambitions, feels abandoned by his party leader’s decision to support a political rival over a loyal ODM member.
Owino’s Reaction:
“It is disheartening to see our party leader supporting someone from another party, especially when there are loyal members within ODM who have the capacity and vision to lead.”
3. Perceived Favoritism and Power Struggles
Incident:
Babu Owino has frequently spoken about the generational divide in ODM, where young, dynamic politicians feel sidelined in favor of the old guard.
Betrayal:
Despite his grassroots influence and mobilization skills, he believes he is not being allowed to rise within ODM’s ranks.
Owino’s Reaction:
“The party seems to favor the old guard, leaving us, the young and energetic leaders, out in the cold. We are the future of this party, and our voices need to be heard.”
4. Raila’s Political Realignments and ODM’s Direction
Incident:
Raila Odinga’s evolving political strategy has involved forming alliances with leaders from rival parties, including UDA.
Betrayal:
Many ODM loyalists, including Owino, feel that their sacrifices are being ignored in favor of political expediency.
Owino’s Reaction:
“We have stood by the party through thick and thin, only to see our leader aligning with our political rivals. It feels like a betrayal of the principles we have fought for.”
5. Used but Not Rewarded
Incident:
Owino has been at the forefront of ODM campaigns, using his charisma and popularity to mobilize support.
Usage:
He feels that the party leverages his influence but fails to recognize his contributions when leadership positions are being allocated.
Owino’s Reaction:
“They use us to mobilize support and win elections, but when it comes to sharing the spoils, we are forgotten. It’s like we are only useful during campaigns but discarded afterward.”
What Are Babu Owino’s Options for 2027?
As the 2027 elections approach, Babu Owino faces a critical decision regarding his political future. Here are the most likely paths he might take:
Option 1: Stay in ODM and Fight for Influence
Owino could choose to remain in ODM and push for a greater leadership role, either in Parliament or within the party structure.
If he remains patient and continues to build his influence, he could position himself as the face of ODM’s next-generation leadership.
However, this would require navigating internal politics and earning the trust of Raila and other senior leaders.
Option 2: Run for Nairobi Governor on an ODM Ticket
If Raila’s support for Sakaja does not materialize, Owino could push for the ODM gubernatorial ticket in Nairobi.
This would be a significant challenge, as other ODM heavyweights like Tim Wanyonyi or Edwin Sifuna may also be interested.
If ODM backs another candidate, Owino may have to step aside or risk internal conflicts.
Option 3: Defect to William Ruto’s UDA
If ODM continues to sideline him, Owino might consider joining UDA, where President William Ruto has embraced young, ambitious politicians.
UDA has positioned itself as a party for “hustlers” and could welcome Owino’s grassroots influence.
However, this move would be controversial, given his long-standing opposition to Ruto and the Kenya Kwanza government.
Option 4: Run as an Independent Candidate
If ODM refuses to support his gubernatorial bid, Owino might choose to run as an independent candidate for Nairobi Governor.
This strategy would require strong grassroots mobilization and significant financial backing.
The risk is that he could split votes, ultimately benefiting UDA or another ODM candidate.
Option 5: Form His Own Political Party or Movement
Given his youthful following, Owino might consider forming a new political movement that represents the interests of young, marginalized leaders.
This would be a bold move, but history has shown that breakaway parties can succeed if they tap into the right sentiment (e.g., Ruto’s formation of UDA).
The challenge would be building a national structure strong enough to compete with ODM and UDA.
Conclusion: What Will Babu Owino Do?
Babu Owino’s political future remains uncertain, but his growing dissatisfaction with ODM could lead to significant changes in his career path before 2027. His options include staying in ODM and fighting for recognition, running for Nairobi Governor, joining UDA, going independent, or forming a new party. Each choice carries risks and rewards, but one thing is certain—his next move will shape his long-term political destiny.
Will he remain loyal to ODM despite the perceived betrayal, or will he chart his own course in Kenyan politics? Only time will tell.
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