Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna during the unveiling of The Equitable Party on October 4, 2026 / ENOS TECHEEmbakasi East MP Babu Owino has thrown his weight behind Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s presidential bid, urging supporters of the Linda Mwananchi Movement to remain united and avoid internal distractions.
Speaking on Sunday during the launch of the Equitable Party, where Sifuna was unveiled as the leader of the party and the political movement behind it, Babu said he had supported Sifuna’s presidential ambitions from the beginning.
“I support my brother Sifuna 100 per cent to run for presidency,” Babu said.
The MP said he and Sifuna had deliberately kept their plans under wraps as they worked towards unveiling the political vehicle at what they considered the right time.
Babu said the movement had been built through the sacrifices of its supporters, recalling the difficult moments he and Sifuna had experienced while campaigning alongside the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
He recounted an incident during Raila’s lifetime when the three were travelling in separate vehicles to Jacaranda in Embakasi East and came under attack.
“Baba was being killed. Sifuna and I, our heads were at the bottom of the car because bullets were being sprayed at us,” Babu said.
He said the incident strengthened the bond between him and Sifuna and became part of the journey that has now led them to launch a new political vehicle.
“It is a very, very painful journey. We have struggled together,” he said.
Babu also defended Sifuna’s decision to leave the Orange Democratic Movement, saying the senator had remained loyal to the party but was forced to chart a new path following alleged internal problems.
He urged supporters to forgive the ODM leadership, arguing that the developments within the party had ultimately contributed to the formation of the new political movement.
“I want you to forgive the ODM leadership because they have made us be where we are today. Were it not for them, we would not be here today. We would not be talking about presidency,” Babu said.
The MP then told Sifuna that he was capable of becoming president, citing the ages at which several world leaders assumed power.
“Therefore, my brother, Barack Obama was your age mate when he was being a president. Therefore, you can be a president,” he said.
Babu also reflected on the 2022 presidential election, saying he believed Raila was supposed to win but that the campaign lost focus over “small issues” and “small excitement”.
He urged the movement not to repeat what he considers mistakes from the previous election.
He said the movement should remain focused on the challenges facing Kenyans, including unemployment, school fees and difficulties facing small businesses.
Babu acknowledged that the political journey ahead would have challenges, using the image of a rose with thorns to describe the obstacles the movement could encounter.
He called on supporters to remain steadfast as the movement begins its new political chapter.
