By Michelle Ndaga
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has broken his silence on why he did not attend the joint parliamentary group meeting convened by President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga that took place on Monday, August 18, 2025, at the KCB Leadership Centre in Karen.
Speaking in Nairobi on Thursday, Babu said he deliberately stayed away because he felt sidelined during critical consultations that birthed the NADCO report and subsequent agreement on the formation of a broad-based government.
“I respect Raila Amolo Odinga, my party leader, but when the NADCO report was being drafted, I was not consulted. I ought to have been consulted because I represent the views of my constituents. If they did not consult me then, why would they want to consult me now?” Babu posed.
The youthful lawmaker stressed that his absence was an expression of principle rather than defiance, pointing out that ODM has always allowed members to voice dissenting opinions.
He noted that his decision was rooted in ensuring that his constituents’ voices were not ignored in major national decisions.
The Karen meeting brought together lawmakers allied to ODM and UDA in a show of unity, following weeks of negotiations between the two parties.
However, Babu’s absence has fueled speculation about emerging cracks within ODM even as the legislator insists, he remains loyal to the party.
“As a member of ODM, I have the democratic right to raise concerns. My loyalty to the party is intact, but loyalty must also mean accountability to the people I represent,” he added.
