Forgive them’: Babu says ODM fallout paved way for Sifuna presidency

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has asked Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna to forgive the Orange Democratic Movement leadership, saying the fallout that pushed him out of the party ultimately opened the way for his presidential ambitions.

Babu said Sifuna had initially been loyal to ODM and did not want to leave the party, but argued that events within the party had created an opportunity that would otherwise not have arisen.

“Sifuna didn't want to leave ODM. Let me tell you, his loyalty was in ODM,” Babu said.

“But again, sometimes some things can happen. You may think that it is a curse, but it is a blessing. I want you to forgive the ODM leadership, because they have made us be where we are today.”

Babu said Sifuna’s departure from ODM had enabled him to pursue a political path that could culminate in a presidential bid.

“Were it not for them, we would not be here today. We would not be talking about the presidency,” he said.

He was speaking on Sunday during the unveiling of The Equitable Party (TEP), which Sifuna has adopted as his political vehicle ahead of the 2027 General Election. TEP named Sifuna its preferred presidential candidate, with the senator set to take over as party leader. 

The launch marked a new political chapter for Sifuna following his fallout with ODM, where he previously served as secretary-general.

The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal had upheld his removal from the position, dismissing his third challenge against his ouster.

Later, the Tribunal found that ODM's National Executive Committee was entitled to establish a panel to handle the disciplinary case and that Sifuna had been given an opportunity to defend himself.

Babu used examples of young leaders who rose to the presidency to encourage Sifuna to pursue his ambition, citing former Cuban leader Fidel Castro, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, former Burkina Faso president Thomas Sankara and former US president Barack Obama.

He said their rise to power at relatively young ages demonstrated that Sifuna could also aspire to lead Kenya.

“Therefore, my brother, you can be a president,” Babu said.

The Embakasi East MP has been among the political leaders backing Sifuna's presidential ambitions. During Sunday's launch, he publicly declared his support for the senator, saying he had backed his presidential bid from the beginning. 

The launch brought together several leaders associated with the Linda Mwananchi Movement, including Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, Siaya Governor James Orengo, Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi and Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka.

Sifuna's adoption of TEP gives the Linda Mwananchi camp a formal political vehicle as the senator seeks to build a national campaign ahead of the 2027 elections.

Sifuna has said the new party is intended to provide a platform for a different approach to politics, centred on ideas, programmes, accountability and service.