Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has opened up about an alleged offer from President William Ruto to appoint him Cabinet Secretary for Education during the height of the Gen Z protests in 2024.
Speaking during an interview on Thee Alfa House YouTube channel, the legislator claimed that the President approached him when his administration was facing mounting public pressure over the anti-government demonstrations.
Owino said he declined the opportunity, arguing that accepting a position in the government would have conflicted with his political beliefs.
He maintained that his decision was deliberate, questioning why he would consider such an arrangement now if he had rejected it when the political pressure on the government was much greater.
The claim has not been independently verified, and no confirmation of the alleged offer was provided in the account.
Why Owino Says He Rejected the Offer
According to the MP, his opposition to the broad-based government was the main reason he turned down the alleged appointment.
Owino argued that he had maintained his position even when the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga agreed to work with Ruto's administration under the broad-based government arrangement.
He presented himself as one of the ODM politicians who remained opposed to the arrangement despite the political changes that followed the 2024 protests.
For Owino, the decision was about remaining consistent with his political convictions rather than accepting a government position for personal advancement.
His remarks also revive questions about how political leaders balance their ideological positions with opportunities to join government.
Ruto's Cabinet Shake-Up After Gen Z Protests
The alleged offer is said to have come during a period of intense political pressure in 2024.
On July 11, 2024, President Ruto announced the dismissal of nearly his entire Cabinet following weeks of demonstrations against the Finance Bill 2024 and growing public dissatisfaction with his administration.
The protests, largely driven by young Kenyans, brought issues such as taxation, accountability, the cost of living and government spending to the centre of national debate.
The President subsequently nominated a new team as he sought to respond to public concerns and reshape his administration.
Owino's latest remarks place his alleged interaction with Ruto within that turbulent political period, although the details surrounding the purported offer remain unconfirmed.
Babu Defends His Decision to Establish The Mwananchi Party
Beyond the alleged Cabinet appointment, Owino also addressed concerns about political independence among leaders associated with the Linda Mwananchi movement as the country approaches the 2027 General Election.
The legislator argued that belonging to a political party does not automatically make someone vulnerable to political pressure or persuasion.
Instead, he maintained that an individual's principles and political convictions determine whether they remain committed to their position.
Owino also defended his decision to lead The Mwananchi Party (TMP), saying the party could create opportunities for young people seeking elective positions.
He pointed to seats in county assemblies, Parliament and the Senate, as well as gubernatorial positions, as areas where aspiring leaders could pursue political ambitions through their own political platforms.
His argument suggests that political parties should offer more than vehicles for presidential campaigns by helping emerging leaders participate in governance at different levels.
Why Owino Believes Political Parties Matter
The Embakasi East MP further cited previous political coalitions, including the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC), Jubilee, the National Super Alliance (NASA) and Azimio la Umoja, to illustrate how different parties can cooperate in pursuit of a common electoral goal.
He argued that Kenya's political landscape has room for multiple parties and that the existence of his own outfit should not be treated as unusual.
Owino also pointed to the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza as examples of the political challenges leaders can face.
He suggested that having an independent party could provide politicians with an organisational platform through which they can mobilise support and defend their political interests.
However, the extent to which a party can protect its members depends on the circumstances, the applicable law and the strength of its political structures.
Political Independence in Focus Ahead of 2027
Owino's comments come as leaders associated with Linda Mwananchi continue navigating questions about party affiliations, alliances and their preferred political vehicles ahead of the next General Election.
With different political interests at play, the question of whether leaders will maintain independent positions or join broader political arrangements is likely to remain a key issue.
The MP's position is that political loyalty should be determined by ideology rather than the prospect of securing government appointments.
His account of the alleged Education CS offer adds another dimension to the debate, although the claim remains his own and has not been independently confirmed.
As Kenya moves closer to 2027, the bigger question is whether political leaders will prioritise the principles they campaign on when faced with opportunities to join the government.
