By Anderson Ojwang
After decades of Nyanza’s political mantle and power resting with the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga family at Kango Ka Jaramogi, and later with his son Raila Amolo Odinga at Opoda Farm, a new political shift in community leadership is in the offing.
With the emerging new political dispensation in Nyanza, the mantle is now up for grabs as it seeks a new dominion. The flying and dancing mantle is attracting several ambitious, upcoming, and prominent leaders in the community who have been scheming and plotting on how to seize the opportunity.
The time is now or never for the suitors.
A new political wave is gripping the region, with the “Babu moment” unfolding in Nyanza, where he is creating a storm and a wave similar to that of Raila. Among the suitors of the mantle is Babu Owino Ongili, an alumnus of Kisumu Boys, a school reputed for honing and churning out successful human resources for the country.
Babu’s political wave is not only unsettling his competitors but also creating excitement among his support base in the region.
Walking in Raila’s footsteps and applying similar tactics used during Raila’s political duel with Siaya Governor James Orengo over the mantle after the demise of Jaramogi, Babu is stirring a political storm.
Early this year, when Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga became ODM national chairperson and subsequently organized a thanksgiving prayer service, Babu stormed the event and carried the day. The public demanded that Babu address them, and the crowd temporarily paralyzed the function as they insisted he be given the opportunity to speak.
The event, which was graced by ODM leader Raila Odinga, interim party leader Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o, Cabinet Secretaries John Mbadi and Hassan Joho, and various senators, governors, and members of parliament, witnessed what was described as Babu’s “bloodless coup.”
Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo’s efforts to pacify the crowd were drowned by chants of “Babu! Babu!” before Suba East MP Millie Odhiambo intervened, saying, “Let Babu speak to the people,” sending the crowd into wild cheers before settling down.
In his speech, Babu expressed support for Raila’s bid for the African Union chairperson position, saying he was the best candidate.
An enraged Suna East MP, Junet Mohammed, who also spoke at the function, termed those eyeing Raila’s position as committing an act of “treason.”
“Those people bringing irrelevant and useless discussions about Raila’s succession and inheriting his seat—I want to deliver a warning here in Homa Bay—that is an act of treason. If you talk of inheriting Raila’s seat, you will be beaten like nobody’s business,” he said.
Junet maintained that Raila would remain their leader whether he is in Addis Ababa as the AU Chair or in Kenya.
“Our father is one. If you want small positions like that of Gladys Wanga or mine, which is Director of Elections, you can go for that. But if you want to take Raila’s seat, we will pound you like a potato,” Junet said.
At the recent burial of former Cabinet Minister Dalmas Otieno Anyango in Rongo, a similar uproar was witnessed when mourners demanded that Babu speak.
Babu benefitted from the crowd that had been mobilized by various political blocs in Migori seeking elective posts in 2027, once again dominating his competitors for the mantle.
Various speakers castigated Babu for disrupting the peaceful burial process and for trying to hijack the platform for his own political gain.
Chairman of the Luo Council of Elders, Mzee Odungo Ranfa, at a recent function in Siaya County, compared Babu to a hunting lion and urged him to continue with his political maneuvers.
Ranfa told the gathering:
“I am happy to see this young boy. Babu Owino, be upstanding. Come and stand right here in the middle where people can see you. Thank you very much, Baba.
For those who don’t know Babu well, he was born in the sprawling slums of Nyalenda in Kisumu. They were my immediate neighbors. I saw him as a toddler.
He studied at Kisumu Central Primary School and Kisumu Boys before proceeding to the University of Nairobi. He is the son of Ogot Matar. Jo Siaya, are you happy? You see this brown boy? He is a lion—the hunter. Go back and sit down. I request Babu to continue with your journey and remain steadfast.”
In a recent interview, Babu claimed that he was the last born in Raila’s political family and, as tradition dictates, is bound to inherit his mantle.
“I love and respect Baba. I cannot go against him. I know that I am the last born in this family and will subsequently inherit the throne. So, I am not scared of those who may be against me,” he said.
Babu recently declared his support for Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka to become the sixth president of Kenya. Kalonzo, in turn, offered him a political overture by requesting that he become one of the party’s deputy party leaders in the new leadership structure.
Earlier, Babu had claimed that during his pursuit of the Nairobi gubernatorial seat, he was convinced he would not secure the ODM ticket, as the party preferred the current Governor Johnson Sakaja over him.
With the clock ticking, will Babu upstage his competitors in the race for the mantle?
The series on Nyanza succession politics continues throughout the week.
