Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has addressed the recent allegations made by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.
The recent accusations, which surfaced during the launch event for Raila Odinga’s bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairmanship at State House, Nairobi, have generated considerable political buzz and media attention.
Babu Owino, in his response, began by expressing gratitude to President Museveni for backing Odinga’s AUC Chairmanship campaign.
Owino then shifted focus to address broader issues impacting the youth and future leadership across Africa. “As a young leader in Kenya who has experienced poverty firsthand, I understand what it means to lack,” Owino shared.
“If you tell me you’ve gone to bed hungry, I know that struggle because I’ve lived it. If you talk about not having school fees, I can relate, having faced that reality myself.”
He seized the moment to emphasize his vision for leadership both in Kenya and throughout Africa, underscoring the need for leaders who genuinely understand and address the hardships faced by ordinary citizens.
“In light of the challenges we confront in Kenya and Africa, it is our duty as leaders to provide real solutions,” Owino asserted.
Drawing from his personal experiences, Owino reaffirmed his commitment to a democratic society where every child, regardless of their background, has access to essential services like healthcare and education.
“As Babu Owino, I advocate for a democratic society where every child in Kenya gets proper healthcare, education, and job opportunities. Similarly, children in Uganda should receive equal treatment,” he declared.
Call for Visionary Leadership Owino’s response was more than a rebuttal of Museveni’s accusations; it was a broader appeal for transformative leadership capable of tackling the persistent issues of poverty and oppression across Africa.
“We need to present alternative visions of leadership that will liberate Africans from the grips of oppression and poverty,” Owino concluded.
President Museveni’s remarks, which emerged during the event, accused Owino of colluding with anti-National Resistance Movement (NRM) factions in Uganda.
“There’s a character named Babu. I frequently see him engaging with anti-NRM groups. I have never accused him before, but now I am,” Museveni said.
This accusation added an unexpected layer of tension to an event meant to rally support for Odinga’s candidacy.
Political Implications Owino’s thoughtful response aims to redirect the conversation toward critical issues affecting ordinary Africans, such as poverty and access to essential services.
His comments align with the central themes of Raila Odinga’s campaign for the AUC Chairmanship, which advocates for inclusive development, democratic governance, and Pan-African unity.
Several political leaders have come out to strongly condmen Yoweri Museveni’s attack against Babu Owino. Among them are Senator Edwin Sifuna, Githunguri MP, Gathoni wa Muchomba among others.
