The vocal legislator hailed the Ugandan Head of State for supporting Raila Odinga’s African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson bid
Embakasi East Member of Parliament (MP) Babu Owino has responded to Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni’s verbal salvo against him, narrating his personal tale of struggle as a young leader.
In a statement, the vocal legislator hailed the Ugandan Head of State for supporting Raila Odinga’s African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson bid and revealed details of his own upbringing.
“However, as a young leader in Kenya, having grown up in poverty, I know what it means to lack. If you tell me that you’ve slept hungry, I know what it means to lack food because I’ve been through that,” he narrated in part.
“If you tell me that you lack school fees, I will feel you because I know what it is to lack school fees.”
Babu Owino speaking during the distribution of Uwezo Fund Cheques to the people of Embakasi East on August 16, 2024. /BABU OWINO
Owino expressed that leaders are important in terms of providing solutions to the problems facing youth in Kenya and across Africa.
He declared his commitment to working towards a democratic society where every child, regardless of their country or economic background, has access to proper healthcare, education, and employment opportunities.
Furthermore, the youthful leader called for equitable treatment of all children, asserting that a child in Uganda should receive the same level of care and support as a child in Kenya.
“As Babu Owino, I stand for a democratic society where a child in Kenya will receive proper medication, and education and will equally get a job. Equally, a child in Uganda should receive the same treatment as a child in Kenya,” he added, his plea directed towards Mudavadi.
“Because of this, we must offer alternative visions of leadership that will save Africans from the shackles of oppression and the jaws of poverty.”
The legislator’s sentiments come hours after Museveni claimed Owino influenced the recent anti-government protests witnessed in Uganda.
Museveni accused the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) lawmaker of interfering with Ugandan politics by collaborating with Uganda’s anti-ruling party activists according to intelligence reports he received.
“There are some individuals in Raila’s group who I don’t think know what they are doing. You know I am a consumer of intelligence service. So, I always see intelligence reports. There is a character called Babu. I always see Babu dealing with anti-NRM groups,” said Museveni.
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) is Uganda’s ruling party, led by Museveni himself. However, the Ugandan Head of State had exonerated Raila from links with Owino.
“I have never accused him, but now I am accusing him,” he said, adding “I am accusing Babu, but those are individuals, they are not Raila. I know Raila as a nationalist and Pan-Africanist.”
