Embakasi East Member of Parliament (MP) Babu Owino has reiterated that he enjoys a stable relationship with Raila and taken a swipe at those insinuating that he was not on good terms with the former premier.

Speaking in Nairobi on Sunday, December 15, 2024, Babu noted that their relationship was still intact and strong. He asserted that Raila has never publicly declared that he had severed ties with him, terming the claims false.

“Hakuna mjumbe yeyote mwenye anajua Raila kunishinda kwa sababu mimi najua time nimespend na yeye, mambo nimeongea nayeye. Mbona baba mwenyewe hamjaiskia akisema hataki Babu, mbona mnaiskia tu kwa watu? Ashai simama hivi ati anaongea? Na hamta wahi skia kwa sababu anajua pali niko,” Babu said.

He also clarified that despite Raila being his political mentor, he still thinks independently and criticizes crucial matters concerning governance regardless of the former prime minister’s stance.

“The first three popular people in this country ni baba, babu ako top three kwa sababu sitaki kuita jina ya Zakayo hapo kwa sababu ground imechafuka. So baba tunampatia heshima lakini mimi pia niko na akili yangu. Hii mambo ati kuna mtu ananibebea akili hakuna. Kama kitu ni mbaya hatutasupport,” he added.

Claims of Raila dumping Babu Owino began when he declared himself the new opposition leader in July this year, at the time, Babu confirmed that he will be the new opposition chief once Raila formally takes over as the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson.

He also emphasized that there was no harm in him taking up the mantle as Kenya needs a vibrant opposition to keep the government in check. The lawmaker also stated that his early declaration was part of the preparation for him to take over the title.

The Embakasi MP confidently asserted that he had all i takes to take over the position as Kenya’s opposition chief.

“Experience does not come with age, it comes with challenges that you have gone through. I have lived for 35 years and experienced challenges and got solutions to those challenges but someone else has lived more years but gone through fewer challenges,” Babu added.