Embakasi East Member of Parliament Paul Ongili, famously known as Babu Owino, has raised fears for his life, claiming plans are in place to attack him during the funeral period of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Taking to his social pages shortly after attending the state funeral of the ODM leader at the Nyayo National Stadium on Friday, October 17, 2025, Babu Owino, who is seeking to run for governor of Nairobi City County in the 2027 general election, said he knows the culprits behind the scheme.

The lawmaker further called for calmness, pleading for a befitting send-off for Raila Odinga.

”There are plans to attack me on or before the day of Baba’s burial. I am aware of the culprits behind the scheme. It is my prayer that we give Baba the befitting send off that he deserves, devoid of unwarranted violence,” Babu Owino said.

ODM supremacy denial

Babu Owino’s statement on his security comes shortly after he distanced himself from claims that he stage-managed a crowd to chant his name at the former prime minister’s home in Karen recently.

While addressing Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leaders on Thursday, October 16, 2025, Babu dissociated himself from claims made by a section of ODM leaders that he wanted to showcase his political supremacy.

“I want to disassociate myself because there’s something that happened at Mama Ida’s yesterday. I left that place after the president and other leaders had left. When people started chanting my name, honestly, before man and God, I can be the last person to destroy Baba’s legacy. I can’t do it,” Babu stated.

Babu, who is known for his tough talk, spoke very heavily at this point, almost breaking down as he was overwhelmed by emotion.

“A lot was said. A lot is being said. But between me and God, I know the love and the place that I have for Baba. Baba used to call me almost as a last resort, even at 4 a.m. But what do we do? We’ve reached rock bottom during elections,” he added.

Meanwhile, Babu Owino had earlier said he plans to go for the Nairobi County governor seat with or without the ticket of ODM in 2027.