BABU PAYS RAILA'S DEBT TO KALONZO

In a political twist, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has thrown his weight behind Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka’s 2027 presidential bid, casting it as a way of reciprocating Kalonzo’s long-standing loyalty to ODM boss Raila Odinga.

Addressing more than 700 student leaders at Wiper headquarters in Karen on Monday, September 29, Babu described the upcoming General Election as a chance to vote against President William Ruto and his UDA administration.

“In 2020, people turned out in the USA when Trump was serving his first term; they didn’t go to vote in Joe Biden, they went to vote out Trump. In 2002 in Kenya, people went to vote out Daniel Moi; they did not go to vote in Mwai Kibaki,” Babu said.

The ODM legislator, in what appeared to be a subtle rebuke of Raila, reminded the audience of Kalonzo’s unwavering support for the former Prime Minister over the years — often without conditions — and argued that it was only fair to rally behind Kalonzo now.

“When Kalonzo was in Azimio he was a good person. Now that he is in opposition, what makes him bad? What has Kalonzo missed so far? If I say Kalonzo tosha, now Babu is mbaya, mbaya what?” he posed.

Babu urged young people to take charge of the country’s political future through voter registration, describing them as the decisive bloc in 2027.

“Comrades must register as voters so that we appoint Kalonzo. We must disappoint Ruto and appoint leadership that organizes this country instead of tabernizing it,” he declared.

Kalonzo, who was present at the event, warmly welcomed Babu’s backing and hailed the youth as the midwives of Kenya’s political revolution.

“This country’s youth is very hungry for leadership change. They are patriotic and do not care about ethnic lines. Their voices will only be heard through the ballot,” Kalonzo said.

The Wiper leader also extended an invitation to Babu to join his party, following the MP's dissent with ODM.

“Babu, if things look confusing in ODM and the larger Azimio coalition, I welcome you to Wiper,” Kalonzo said.

Babu, who had previously declared a contest against Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja even without ODM’s backing, could find a political home in Wiper - considering his being in ODM's blue zone.