Babu Owino gets late speaking slot after crowd intervention at Linda Mwananchi launch

Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino on Friday found himself in strange territory during the launch of the Linda Mwananchi Movement (LMM) party after appearing to be overlooked for much of the programme despite his long association with the political outfit.

The lawmaker, who also leads The Mwananchi Party (TMP), was among the politicians attending the event in Nairobi where Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna unveiled the rebranding of The Equitable Party (TEP) into LMM.

However, the proceedings raised questions over Babu's place in the movement after he appeared to receive little recognition during key moments of the programme.

Despite being seated prominently at the front, albeit towards the edge, Babu was not among the opposition party leaders recognised during the formal introductions.

He was acknowledged during the introductions but, as the programme progressed, was seemingly overlooked when other senior opposition and LMM figures were invited to address the gathering.

The Embakasi East MP, who has been associated with the formation and mobilisation of Linda Mwananchi since its early days, appeared to have been left out of the initial line-up of speakers.

It was only after members of the audience demanded that he be given an opportunity to speak that Babu was eventually handed the microphone by Sifuna.

By then, several senior opposition leaders and his fellow co-founders of the Linda Mwananchi faction had addressed the gathering and the programme was nearing its conclusion.

Babu used the opportunity to reaffirm his support for Sifuna's presidential ambitions, while calling for opposition unity as a necessary ingredient in addressing the country's economic and governance challenges.

"H.E Edwin Watenya Sifuna, nataka nichukue hii nafasi kukushukuru kukuwa the leader wa Linda Mwananchi Movement, na tena nakushukuru sana kama the presidential candidate wa Linda Mwananchi. Mimi kama Babu Owino, nataka nikuambie ya kwamba niko na wewe," he said.

He argued that opposition unity was necessary to secure better opportunities for ordinary Kenyans, including small-scale traders, unemployed young people and citizens struggling to access healthcare.

"Ili mama mboga aweze kupata haki yake, lazima opposition iungane. Ili yule mzee aweze kupata matibabu kwenye hospitali, lazima opposition wajiunge. Ile yule kijana ambaye ako hapa aweze kupata kazi, lazima opposition wajiunge," he added.

Babu also reflected on the sacrifices associated with the political journey that brought the movement together, saying it had come at a significant cost, including loss of lives, destruction of property and political hostility.

He pledged to remain alongside Sifuna despite the challenges encountered along the way.

"Na mimi hii safari tutaenda na wewe pamoja mpaka penye tutafika. Kwa wananchi wa Kenya, my loyalty will always be to you," he said.

The MP also cautioned supporters ahead of an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) rally scheduled for Saturday at Jacaranda Grounds in Embakasi East, which he said had been organised by the broad-based government.

As the constituency MP, Babu appealed to those attending to conduct themselves peacefully, saying he did not want further loss of life or destruction of property.

Babu's delayed address was not the only moment that drew attention during the launch, with Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka also facing hostility from sections of the audience.

Kalonzo was heckled after questioning the premature declaration of Sifuna as a presidential candidate, insisting that the Nairobi Senator had to follow the necessary Constitutional procedures before his candidature could be formally settled.

He lightly took issue with DAP-K party leader Eugene Wamalwa referring to Sifuna as a presidential candidate.

"My brother Eugene has jumped the gun. He has declared you a presidential candidate. Let me tell you, legally, because you are a lawyer, you have to wait for the 13th of November," Kalonzo said.

He further explained that the November 13 meeting would provide an opportunity to settle the question, describing Sifuna as a party leader rather than an officially confirmed presidential candidate.

His remarks triggered chants of "Sifuna, Sifuna" and boos from sections of the crowd, disrupting his address.

Kalonzo at one point questioned whether the audience wanted him to continue speaking, prompting Sifuna to intervene and appeal for respect towards the visiting opposition leaders.

"This is not a way to treat our guests. Just let us listen to them," Sifuna pleaded with the crowd.

Kalonzo subsequently reiterated that he would support Sifuna if he emerged as the opposition's preferred presidential candidate, while calling for consultations and respect for established political processes.

The incidents at the launch offered a glimpse into the competing expectations within the opposition as political formations position themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election.

While Sifuna's supporters appear eager to see him take up the presidential mantle, the question of how the opposition will settle on a common candidate remains unresolved.