Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has revealed details of an alleged power-sharing agreement he reached with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna before the two politicians went separate political ways within the Linda Mwananchi Movement.
Babu said the initial arrangement was for Sifuna to become the movement’s presidential candidate in the 2027 General Election, while he would take up the position of party leader.
Speaking during an interview with K24 TV on Friday, the former student leader claimed the agreement changed after the group left the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), with some members pushing for Sifuna to assume both positions.
“Initially, we had agreed with Sifuna and other members that the moment we get the party out, Sifuna was to be the presidential candidate and I was to be the party leader, but things changed. I also don’t know how things changed,” Babu said.
He explained that some members had argued that a presidential candidate should also serve as the party leader, an arrangement he opposed because he believed both politicians needed room to advance their political ambitions.
“Some were saying that a presidential candidate cannot fail to be a party leader. But we said that we needed both of us to grow. Both of us had to grow,” he added.
Babu says politics is about interests, not trust
The Embakasi East MP said his decision to pursue a separate political path was informed by the need to protect his political interests rather than allow one leader to advance at the expense of another.
He cited former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment, arguing that independent political structures could offer politicians protection when political alliances collapse.
“You remember Gachagua? He said clearly that if he had had his political party, he would have never been impeached,” Babu remarked.
He also dismissed suggestions that his differences with Sifuna amounted to political competition, maintaining that the two were pursuing different elective positions.
“There can’t be competition between Babu and Sifuna. Sifuna is going for president; Babu is going for governor. There can’t be competition. What are we fighting over? Nothing,” he said.
In another candid admission, Babu questioned the place of personal trust in political partnerships, arguing that leaders should prioritize clearly defined interests and commitments to voters.
“Politics is not about trust. Politics is about interest. Put the interest on the table. How will Wananchi benefit? That is the first interest that is served on the table,” he stated.
The revelations come weeks after Babu left the Linda Mwananchi political camp and pursued a separate political vehicle through the Mwananchi Party, while Sifuna consolidated his political ambitions through the Linda Mwananchi Movement party, following the rebranding of the Equitable Party on Friday.
