NAIROBI, Kenya — Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has revealed details of an alleged political agreement he reached with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna before the two leaders went their separate ways following a fallout within the Linda Mwananchi camp.
In a recorded interview with K24 on Friday, November 13, Babu said the initial arrangement was for Sifuna to become the group’s presidential candidate in the 2027 General Election, while he would take charge as party leader.
The lawmaker said the proposal had been agreed upon by other members who were planning to leave the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and establish a new political platform.
However, Babu claimed the arrangement changed after the group left ODM, with some members pushing for Sifuna to assume both the party leadership and presidential candidacy.
“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 stated.
He said some members had argued that a presidential candidate should also lead the political party, but maintained that the original arrangement was intended to give both politicians room to advance their ambitions.
“Some were saying that a presidential candidate cannot fail to be a party leader. But we said that we needed to both of us grow. Both of us had to grow,” he added.
Babu explains decision to pursue separate political path
The revelations offer a fresh account of the political differences between the two leaders, whose relationship had attracted attention as the Linda Mwananchi movement positioned itself ahead of the 2027 elections.
Babu’s departure from the movement and subsequent move to Muungano Party, which was later rebranded as the Mwananchi Party, fuelled speculation about a fallout with Sifuna.
The Embakasi East MP said his decision to pursue a separate political path was informed by the need to protect his own political interests rather than allow one leader’s ambitions to overshadow the other’s.
“And politics is about interest. There is no way one was to grow and leave the other one down,” he said.
He also defended the proposed division of responsibilities, arguing that having Sifuna as presidential candidate and himself as party leader would have provided a separate leadership structure if the senator eventually won the presidency.
“So if Sifuna was to be the presidential candidate and Babu was to be the party leader, if Sifuna, by God’s grace, becomes the president, what can a party leader do to a commander-in-chief? Nothing, right? But again, Babu would also be secure. Because there are a lot of insecurities when people get seats,” he added.
Sifuna secures Linda Mwananchi political vehicle
The developments come as Sifuna moves to consolidate his political ambitions through a formal party platform.
The Equitable Party (TEP), which Sifuna had adopted as his political vehicle after difficulties surrounding the Linda Mwananchi name, approved a change of identity to the Linda Mwananchi Movement during a National Delegates Conference in Nairobi on Friday, November 13.
The delegates also approved proposed amendments to the party’s constitution, colours, symbol and headquarters, formalising its transition to the new identity. The party has positioned Sifuna as its preferred presidential candidate for the 2027 General Election.
Also Read: Babu Owino dismisses claims of dropping Nairobi Governor bid after Gachagua meeting
The move gives the senator a formal political platform as he prepares to pursue the presidency, while Babu has chosen to advance his own ambitions through a separate political outfit.
Babu dismisses rivalry with Sifuna
Despite their separate political paths, Babu dismissed suggestions that he was competing with Sifuna, arguing 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,” he said.
The MP also maintained that he continued to support Sifuna’s presidential ambitions, despite the apparent breakdown of their initial political arrangement.
His remarks point to a political separation that he says was driven by competing interests and questions over leadership roles, rather than a direct contest between the two politicians.
With the 2027 General Election approaching, both leaders are now pursuing distinct political strategies, even as their earlier association within the Linda Mwananchi movement continues to shape debate about the opposition’s emerging alliances.
