Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has dismissed reports of a fallout with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, saying attempts to portray the two leaders as divided could weaken the opposition's campaign against President William Ruto ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Babu, who is a co-principal of the Linda Mwananchi movement, said on Wednesday that his political partnership with Sifuna remained intact and urged supporters not to be distracted by reports of disagreements between the two. The remarks followed speculation that Babu had shifted his support towards Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka after comments he made during the movement's recent tour of Homa Bay.
“Sasa ndugu yangu mwenye nimeanza na yeye, tumekuja na yeye huku juu, simtaki tena aje? Kama singemtaka si hatungeshikana kuanzia kule chini. So lazima tuwe united for us to deal with such a government,” Babu said.
The MP said he wanted opposition leaders to work together rather than compete among themselves over who should lead the campaign against Ruto. He specifically said Sifuna should continue engaging other opposition figures, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Kalonzo Musyoka, former Meru governor Kawira Mwangaza, Siaya Governor James Orengo, former Cabinet secretary Fred Matiang’i and retired President Uhuru Kenyatta.
“I want us to hold hands, hold Sifuna as my brother, hold Babu Owino too. This time, let us take things forward and push our brother Sifuna,” he said.
Babu argued that the opposition had a common objective and could only defeat the Kenya Kwanza administration if its leaders put aside their political differences. He accused the government of benefiting whenever opposition politicians quarrel among themselves.
“We all have one problem as Kenyans, and that problem is this government, which is not working. How do you want us to change our lives if we have not united?” he asked.
The MP's comments come as Sifuna's political profile continues to grow through the Linda Mwananchi movement, which has been touring different parts of the country and mobilising support around the campaign to remove Ruto from office in 2027.
Babu said reports of a disagreement with Sifuna were being fuelled by interpretations of his comments about Kalonzo during the Homa Bay tour. He said his praise for the Wiper leader should not be understood as a rejection of Sifuna.
“Babu akienda kule Homa Bay, ameongea juu ya Kalonzo pia, sasa ati Babu hataki Sifuna, anataka Kalonzo. Hawa watu wawili wakiseparate, Ruto amerudi, asubuhi mapema,” he said.
The remarks come at a sensitive point for Linda Mwananchi, which is attempting to turn its growing political support into an organised vehicle for the 2027 election. The movement is also dealing with a dispute over the Linda name, with Sifuna's allies pursuing legal avenues to protect the brand. On Tuesday, the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal barred the Registrar of Political Parties from registering another entity under the name Linda Mwananchi or a similar variation pending determination of the case.
Babu also claimed that the government was attempting to divide opposition politicians through attacks on social media and on the ground, although he did not provide evidence for the allegation.
“Government haitalala, kwa sababu wata-unleash bloggers; online goons wanaku-attack huko kwa mtandao, ukikuja kwa ground kuna ground goons wanaku-attack hapa. So wana-attack from all directions,” he said.
He nevertheless insisted that the opposition would remain focused on its political objective and would not be intimidated by what he described as efforts to weaken the movement.
The latest intervention also comes as opposition leaders continue to negotiate alliances ahead of 2027. Sifuna has been seeking to bring together politicians from different parties and political backgrounds, while questions over who will eventually lead the anti-Ruto coalition remain unresolved.
For Babu, the priority is to prevent those differences from becoming a public split.
“Ndio maana mimi nasema ili tutoe hii serikali, opposition lazima iwe united. Tukishikana hivo, tuko na solution; lakini tukiwa divided, hakuna penye tunaenda,” he said.
