Babu Owino: Uhuru not funding Linda Mwananchi rallies

Embakasi East Member of Parliament, Babu Owino, during a press briefing on February 18, 2026./HANDOUT

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has dismissed claims that former president Uhuru Kenyatta is financing the ongoing Linda Mwananchi political rallies, insisting that the movement is funded by its members.

Speaking amid growing divisions within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), Babu said the former Head of State has no interest in sponsoring political activities, having already completed his presidential tenure.

“Uhuru Kenyatta had already served; he is now a former president. I don’t think he has any interest in chasing. He doesn’t want to be a president anymore,” Babu said.

He added, “This same Uhuru Kenyatta who is being fought this much, was with Baba. This former president is not financing any of these rallies. We come together, we contribute the little that we have, and that is how we fund ourselves. He is not in this thing.”

Babu questioned the motive behind linking Kenyatta to the rallies, arguing that the former president has nothing to gain.

“For what interest if you ask yourself? Of what benefit? How will he benefit from this? He doesn’t want to be a president, he has already served,” he said.

The Embakasi East legislator’s remarks come after a section of ODM leaders allied to the rival Linda Ground faction accused Kenyatta of bankrolling the Linda Mwananchi tour, claims that have intensified tensions within the party.

The wrangles have exposed deep divisions in ODM, with two opposing camps emerging: the Linda Mwananchi team and the Linda Ground team — each holding separate rallies and advancing different political positions.

Suba South MP Caroli Omondi has previously defended the Linda Mwananchi faction, revealing that its activities are funded by members and supporters.

Omondi said leaders within the faction have a history of financing party activities, citing his own financial contributions during previous campaigns.

“We are funding ourselves. Nobody is funding us. In fact, some of us have funded this party for many years,” he said.

The legislator disclosed that he personally contributed between Sh600 million and Sh700 million to support ODM campaigns during the 2013 General Election.

His remarks appeared aimed at countering claims that external forces were influencing the current political mobilisation.

The funding dispute has become a key flashpoint in the ongoing supremacy battle within ODM, with each side accusing the other of undermining the party’s unity and direction.

Despite the divisions, leaders in the Linda Mwananchi faction have maintained that their movement is driven by grassroots support and voluntary contributions from members, not external financiers.