Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has thrown a spotlight on the growing fault lines within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). In a candid statement, Owino revealed that his absence from a joint parliamentary group (PG) meeting with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) was not an act of defiance but a direct result of being excluded from the decision-making process. His reason is simple and stark: he was not consulted before the meeting was called.
This revelation from Owino, a staunch supporter of ODM leader Raila Odinga, is a significant moment of public dissent. He expressed his frustration at feeling sidelined during the drafting of the NADCO report and the subsequent agreement on a broad-based government (BBG). While he maintains his loyalty to the ODM party and his respect for Raila Odinga, he is making it clear that his voice, and the voices of his constituents, cannot be ignored.
Owino’s absence from the meeting is a symptom of a larger issue within the ODM party. Along with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Owino has been one of the most vocal critics of the broad-based government and the current administration. His position is that a strong democracy requires a vigilant and independent parliament, and he has vowed to continue to perform his oversight role to legislate for Kenyans. This stance puts him at odds with the party's recent moves toward political accommodation, which he views as a compromise of democratic principles.
The MP’s comments also touch on the internal dynamics of the ODM party itself. Owino emphasized that ODM is a democratic party where members have the right to express divergent opinions. However, his public criticism and the clear dissatisfaction among some members suggest that the party is struggling to maintain unity in the face of a new political reality. The leadership's decision to form a broad-based government has not been universally accepted, and Owino's public statement gives voice to that dissent.
Babu Owino’s refusal to attend the meeting is more than just a political snub; it is a statement of independence. It shows that he is unwilling to simply fall in line and is prepared to challenge the party's leadership when he feels that the interests of the people are not being served. This act of defiance signals a new and more complex phase for Kenyan politics, where personal convictions and constituency interests are beginning to clash with party loyalty.
