Azimio Chief Applauds Babu Owino For Standing Against Raila-Ruto Dialogue
The defiant stance of Embakasi East Member of Parliament (MP) Babu Owino, has shaken Kenya’s political landscape.
Babu openly rejected the position of his party, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua praised the move, which highlighted growing tensions within the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition party.
On June 19, 2024, Babu Owino boldly announced on the social media platform X that he would not support the government, breaking away from ODM leader Raila Odinga’s stance.
“My decision is to be with the People. I will not support this defunct Government no matter the consequences,” Owino declared, signalling a rift within the ODM party.
Martha Karua praised Owino’s courage in a post on X.
Way to go son https://t.co/mjf7a0GMFz
— Martha Karua SC (@MarthaKarua) July 19, 2024
“Way to go, son,” the Narc Kenya leader wrote early Saturday morning, July 20, 2024, highlighting the coalition’s growing internal discord.
This development comes amid a larger conflict within the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition.
The coalition is currently divided over Raila Odinga’s decision to meet with President William Ruto.
Raila’s recent actions have distanced him from other important Azimio figures, including Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
On Wednesday, the ODM party expressed a willingness to support the formation of a proposed Kenya Kwanza-led broad-based government of national unity, escalating tensions.
"We cannot kill our people then at a time of mourning them we are busy jostling for offices. We must first deal with injustice."
— King Fred Asira (@KingFredAsira) July 20, 2024
– SC James Aggrey Bob Orengo. pic.twitter.com/quiAsB8saa
Kalonzo Musyoka and his faction have vehemently opposed this proposal, declaring that they will not engage in any dialogue with President Ruto’s administration.
Speaking to the media on Friday, Kalonzo emphasized that joining the proposed government of national unity would be a betrayal of Kenyan youth, who have been vocal in their opposition via protests.
“We shall not participate in or support the proposed Kenya Kwanza-led broad-based government of national unity,” Kalonzo Musyoka asserted.
“This is a betrayal of the Kenyan people, particularly Gen Z and millennials, who have paid the ultimate price to rid this country of the disastrous Kenya Kwanza regime, their harsh taxes (Finance Bill 2023/2024), corruption, tribalism, unemployment, and the continued high cost of living.”
He further distanced his faction from any coalition member who might choose to participate in the government-led dialogue, stating that such participation would be in their individual capacity rather than on behalf of Azimio.
“Should any of our members opt to join the proposed Kenya Kwanza-led broad-based government of national unity, we shall not be a party to that decision; they will be joining in their individual capacity, not on behalf of Azimio,” he said.
Kalonzo also reaffirmed the opposition’s mandate to represent the people’s voices and needs, rather than those of the government.
He criticized the current Cabinet and suggested that meaningful change would only occur through a convention, as proposed by Raila Odinga, rather than a dialogue.
These developments highlight the Azimio la Umoja coalition’s deepening divisions and the difficulties it faces in navigating Kenya’s complex political terrain.
As the country grapples with economic and social issues, internal divisions within one of its major political coalitions add to the uncertainty in the national discourse.
Azimio Chief Applauds Babu Owino For Standing Against Raila-Ruto Dialogue
