A collage of MPs, Babu Owino(Embakasi East) and Junet Mohamed(Suna East)./FILESuna East MP Junet Mohammed has urged Embakasi East MP Babu Owino to return to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), amid reported tensions within the Linda Mwananchi Movement.
Junet made the appeal during a roadside rally held as President William Ruto toured Migori County, where he also welcomed the President’s growing engagement with ODM and called on residents of Nyanza to support Ruto’s re-election bid.
“My brother Babu Owino, please come back home and return to ODM. We will build the Orange party together,” Junet said.
The Suna East MP said Babu should consider returning to ODM if he intends to pursue the Nairobi governor’s seat in 2027.
“If you want to be governor, come back to ODM,” he said.
Junet’s remarks come a day after Babu said he would scale back his participation in Linda Mwananchi rallies as he concentrates on his campaign for the Nairobi governorship.
Babu, who has been associated with the movement, said on Tuesday, September 15, that he would continue supporting Linda Mwananchi but would not attend all its rallies as he had done previously.
The Embakasi East MP said his decision was informed by the need to devote more time to building his political base in Nairobi ahead of the 2027 contest.
His reduced presence at Linda Mwananchi events has fuelled speculation about tensions within the movement, although Babu has dismissed reports of a fallout with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
Babu has maintained that he supports Sifuna’s presidential ambitions and has spoken about their political relationship, seeking to dispel claims that their differences had triggered his decision to spend more time on his Nairobi campaign.
Junet’s intervention introduces a fresh political dimension, with the ODM lawmaker openly urging Babu to return to the party and pursue his gubernatorial ambitions under its banner.
He said ODM remained one of the political parties that would dominate the country’s political landscape alongside Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
“I knew from the start that the party that will remain in the country is ODM and UDA,” Junet said.
He further claimed that Nyanza residents had resolved to support Ruto’s bid for another term in office.
“As Nyanza people we have decided we will rally behind you as you seek another term,” he told the President.
Junet also reminded Ruto of his history with ODM, saying the President was among the party’s founding members alongside the late Raila Odinga.
“You William Ruto were among the founding members of ODM with Raila Odinga,” he said.
Junet said ODM had undergone significant political changes since Ruto left the party and eventually became President.
“ODM has gone through a lot. You left, went to be Deputy President and now you are the President and you have come back to take along ODM with you,” he said.
“We are those you left behind and we are ready to walk with you,” Junet added.
