Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has raised fresh concerns over what he describes as a deliberate strategy by President William Ruto to weaken the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party from the inside, just two years before the 2027 General Election.
Speaking on Ramogi TV on Wednesday evening, the outspoken lawmaker accused the Head of State of using the broad-based cooperation with the opposition as a political trap meant to destabilize ODM’s unity.
“Ruto is pretending to work with ODM, but deep down, he wants to finish the party from within,” Babu Owino declared.
The legislator appealed to ODM members who have aligned themselves with the Kenya Kwanza government to rethink their loyalty, urging them to return to their oversight role in Parliament. He stressed that while political cooperation is allowed, the party must not lose its independence.
Owino pointed out that ODM leader Raila Odinga had recently cautioned members against fully immersing themselves in government arrangements, reminding them that ODM has the right to front its own presidential candidate in 2027.
“Raila told us not to immerse ourselves in this thing fully, but some of our brothers have refused to take the advice,” he noted.
On his own political future, Babu Owino admitted that he is unlikely to secure the ODM ticket for the Nairobi gubernatorial race, claiming the party’s leadership had already endorsed Governor Johnson Sakaja.
“I am very sure I will not be given the ODM nomination ticket for the gubernatorial race because ODM leaders recently endorsed Sakaja,” he said.
His remarks come at a time when tension is building within ODM, with members torn between maintaining party loyalty and embracing government cooperation. With the 2027 elections drawing closer, the party now faces the delicate task of keeping its house united while remaining politically relevant.
Link:http://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/116534-ruto-verge-finishing-odm-babu-owino-claims
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