Babu Owino addresses his relationship with Ruto, Kalonzo amid doubts over his loyalty to ODM
By Luke Oluoch, October 8, 2025Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has opened up on his relationship with President William Ruto, his broad-based partner Raila Odinga, and the Wiper Patriotic Front leader, Kalonzo Musyoka.
Speaking to a local radio station on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, Babu disclosed that he holds the president in high esteem as the nation’s leader.
He maintained that his criticism of Ruto and his administration is purely issue-based, a stance he vowed to continue for the benefit of the Kenyan populace.
Also watch: Why Babu Owino’s gubernatorial bid is a headache to Raila and Ruto.
Govt critic
“Ruto is the president. I respect him as a leader. My criticism of his rule has been on issues relating to wananchi, such as the SHA, the education sector, and many others. My criticism has been on issues and not individuals. I also respect Kenyans and other leaders within the leadership spectrum,” he added.
On his association with his party boss, Raila Odinga, Babu maintained that he is still aligned with the party and its boss.
“I am still in ODM, and Baba, Raila Odinga, is my party leader,” he added.
He also addressed him being branded a rebel by a section of leaders within the party.
The attacks were borne of his adversarial stance against his own party and further intensified by his recent bold endorsement of Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka as the best presidential candidate in 2027.
“When Kalonzo was in Azimio, he was a good man. What has he done now? Leaving politics out of this, Kalonzo can still talk to Baba; if Kalonzo can talk to Baba, why can’t I talk to him?” he stated.
His remarks come after he revisited the failed impeachment attempt against Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, attributing its collapse to the intervention of key figures within the broad-based coalition.
Babu decried the intervention of the broad-based principals, President William Ruto and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga.
Condoning corruption?
“Up to 104 MCAs in Nairobi expressed their displeasure with how the county was being run and wanted to impeach the governor. It was in broad daylight from ODM and UDA. He, however, was helped by Ruto and Baba. It is not a big deal, but we cannot allow corruption to be condoned as leaders,” he stated.