Babu Owino Alleges ODM MPs Booed Raila Odinga, Exposes Deepening Opposition Rifts

Nairobi, Kenya – Embakasi East MP Paul Ongili, popularly known as Babu Owino, has claimed that a section of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) legislators booed party leader Raila Odinga during a joint parliamentary group meeting with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA). The allegations, if true, underscore widening cracks within the opposition as it struggles to maintain cohesion in the face of mounting government influence.

Speaking on Thursday, Owino said he skipped the meeting because he anticipated “disrespect” would be directed at Raila, whom he still describes as a statesman deserving of deference. “Some members went there and mocked Baba. That is unacceptable,” Owino told supporters.

The Rise of Kenya Moja

Owino, a leading figure in the emerging Kenya Moja faction, framed his movement as a reformist bloc within the opposition rather than a breakaway rebellion. He claimed about 70 MPs have already aligned themselves with Kenya Moja, which he described as “the only genuine force capable of championing Kenyans’ interests.”

The movement is positioning itself as an alternative to ODM’s traditional structures, vowing to recruit more MPs across party lines and unveil its preferred presidential candidate at a later stage. While Owino did not disclose names, he hinted that both ruling coalition and opposition MPs have quietly expressed interest.

ODM’s Fragile Position

The claims come at a sensitive time for ODM, Kenya’s largest opposition party, which has been the backbone of Raila Odinga’s political career. With Raila expected to scale back his active role following his African Union Commission chairmanship bid, internal divisions are threatening to weaken ODM’s bargaining power. Analysts note that defections and competing factions could splinter the opposition vote and complicate coalition-building ahead of 2027.

“The booing allegation, whether exaggerated or not, highlights ODM’s existential challenge: keeping unity under shifting political winds,” said political analyst Dr. Peter Kagwanja.

Government Strategy and Opposition Calculus

President Ruto’s UDA has been openly courting opposition MPs, using parliamentary committees, development projects, and access to state resources as incentives. By luring ODM legislators into cooperative forums, the ruling party is tightening its grip on Parliament while simultaneously undermining Raila’s authority.

Observers say ODM faces a dilemma: whether to strictly enforce party discipline and risk alienating reformist voices like Owino’s, or to accommodate splinter groups to preserve some form of unity against UDA’s expanding influence.

Outlook: Kenya Moja’s Next Moves

Owino has urged his supporters to remain patient, promising that Kenya Moja will soon roll out a national recruitment drive and unveil its broader reform agenda. “We are not rebelling. We are reforming,” he insisted.

The faction’s growth, however, raises questions about how much longer ODM can contain its members amid shifting political alliances. The coming months could prove decisive in determining whether Kenya Moja evolves into a formal political party or remains a pressure group within ODM.