The political landscape in Kenya has been rocked by the defiant stance of Embakasi East Member of Parliament (MP) Babu Owino, who has openly rejected the position of his party, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
This move has garnered praise from Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua, highlighting growing tensions within the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition party.
On June 19, 2024, Babu Owino boldly announced on the social media platform X that he would not support the government, distancing himself from ODM leader Raila Odinga’s approach.
“My decision is to be with the People. I will not support this defunct Government no matter the consequences,” Owino declared, signalling a rift within the ODM party.
In a show of support, Martha Karua lauded Owino’s courage in a post on X.
“Way to go son,” the Narc Kenya leader wrote early Saturday morning July 20, 2024, at 1:14 am, underscoring the internal discord that is increasingly becoming public within the coalition.
Azimio fallout
This development comes amidst a larger fallout within the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition.
The coalition is currently divided over Raila Odinga’s decision to engage with President William Ruto.
Raila’s recent moves have isolated him from other key Azimio principals, including Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
On Wednesday, the ODM party indicated a willingness to support the formation of a proposed Kenya Kwanza-led broad-based government of national unity, a stance that has further fueled divisions.
Kalonzo Musyoka and his faction have vehemently opposed this proposal, stating they would not participate in any dialogue with President Ruto’s administration.
Addressing the media on Friday, Kalonzo emphasized that joining the proposed government of national unity would be a betrayal of the Kenyan youth, who have been vocal in their opposition through protests.
“We shall not participate in or support the proposed Kenya Kwanza-led broad-based government of national unity. This is a betrayal of the Kenyan people, particularly Gen Z and millennials, who have paid the ultimate price to rid this country of the disastrous Kenya Kwanza regime, their harsh taxes (Finance Bill 2023/2024), corruption, tribalism, unemployment, and the continued high cost of living,” Kalonzo Musyoka asserted.
He further distanced his faction from any coalition member who might opt to join the government-led dialogue, stating that such participation would be in their individual capacity and not on behalf of Azimio.
“Should any of our members opt to join the proposed Kenya Kwanza-led broad-based government of national unity, we shall not be a party to that decision; they will be joining in their individual capacity, not on behalf of Azimio,” he said.
Kalonzo also reiterated the opposition’s mandate to represent the people’s voices and needs, rather than those of the government.
He criticized the current Cabinet and suggested that meaningful change would only come from a convention as proposed by Raila Odinga, rather than a dialogue.
These developments highlight the deepening rifts within the Azimio la Umoja coalition and the challenges it faces in navigating Kenya’s complex political terrain.
As the country continues to grapple with economic and social issues, the internal discord within one of its major political coalitions adds another layer of uncertainty to the national discourse.