By Anderson Ojwang
History could be unfolding to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga over new leadership matrix in Nairobi county that is similar to what he witnessed during the demise of his father and chairman of Ford Kenya, the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.
Unlike, after his father death and the battle for the post of the party vice chairman, that pitted him against the believed Jaramogi heir apparent, then Ugenya MP James Orengo.
Currently, he has lit the political fire after he declared that he had left Nairobi county leaders hip in the hands of Governor Johnson Sakaja, a member of United Democratic Alliance (UDA) of President Willam Ruto.
To the dismay of Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and his Westland counterpart Mr. Tim Wanyonyi, who both are eying the Nairobi gubernatorial seat.
So, Raila has found himself in similar situation his father was in and by chance recreating Babu and providing him with the opportunity to follow his, Raila’s footsteps.
Babu and Raila share near political traits , which has defined their upward political trajectory and with the latter, exiting local political field, the former is likely to implement political strategies of former Langata MP.
Babu is a typical brand of Raila politics, both having horned their politics in Nairobi, abrasive, violent and go getters in the political field. Just like Raila, Babu is already drawing a fanatic support base similar to his mentor.
Speaking recently Raila declared that he had left Nairobi county in the safe hands of Governor Sakaja.
“ ODM, ODM I want Nairobi to remain intact. Where is my Boy. Let him take care of Nairobi. Let him work well for the people. Is thar not ok?.” He said.
Sakaja in return said “ we are together. Once we are done with prayers for Baba this week. In two weeks’ time, I would want to have a meeting with ODM women league and ODM Nairobi leaders.
Lets sit and consult. We will sit with the chairmen and accept me as one of your sons.
I am Raila’s hand boy. The sign of rain is the cloud. We are together. You can see the signs of the future”Sakaja said.
But in his response Babu said “ On Governor Sakaja being favored by Raila Amolo Odinga. As I told you in a house a father can love one child more than the other.
But its quite unfortunate, that this child is from our house. This is a neighbor’s child. Who in 2007 was a member of Kijana Na Kibaki and opposed Raila because he was in Kibaki team and did not vote for Raila.
In 2013, he was the chairman of TNA, he did not vote for Baba, opposed Baba and therefore, did not want Baba to be president.
In 2017, he was in Jubilee, he opposed Baba and did not vote for Baba and wanted Uhuru to be the president.
In 2022, he was in UDA, he opposed Baba and did not vote for Baba and wanted Ruto to be the president.
So therefore, he is never wanted Baba, this is not a person coming with clean hands. This is a person who does not love Baba. He has not sacrificed anything for Baba.
So even going to Ethiopia, are public relation exercises. So Baba, should know better his children. He should know who love him like myself and deeply love him.
Sakaja has no future in politics , because Sakaja has destroyed his own future in politics. He was given an opportunity to work for Nairobians. He has messed it up.,” .
The first to oppose Raila’s support for Sakaja was his son Raila Odinga Junior who on his X Handle formerly twitter wrote “ Enyewe @ Babu Owino , bro relax niko na wewe (Brother Babu Owino relax I am with you).
But the move by Raila has drawn a mixed reaction by a section of Nyanza leaders terming it as unfortunate and outright move to deny the community to lead Nairobi county, now that the community is unlikely to present a presidential candidate in 2027 election.
In Nyanza, Babu is fast gaining political traction with the community viewing as a possible heir apparent to Raila in future political dispensation. He has been critical of the broad based government and is viewed as a one of the ardent critics of president William Ruto.
In 2024, survey by Infotrak showed Babu as the most popular MP with 72 approval percentage and was closely followed by Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro at 71 percent. The survey was conducted between October and December 2024, assessed MPs across all 47 counties, sampling 39,795 respondents.
This year, during thanks giving prayers for ODM national chairperson and Homa Bay governor Gladys Wanga, the public demanded that Babu address them.
The crowd temporarily paralyzed the function when they demanded for Babu to be given opportunity to speak to them.
The event that was graced by immediate former ODM party .leader Raila Odinga, the interim Party leader Prof Anyang Nyong’o, National chairperson Gladys Wanga, cabinet Secretaries John Mbadi and Hassan Joho and various senators, Governors and members of parliament witnessed Babu’s bloodless coup.
Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo efforts to pacify the crowd was drown by chants Babu, Babu before Suba East MP Millie Odhiambo injected by saying “Let Babu speak to the people”. The crowd went wild and then silent.
Babu in his speech showed his support for Raila bid for the chairperson of African Union saying he was the best candidate.
Babu in a closing shot and on the next political agenda said “ Na Baba aki saa enda Na Baba aki saa enda loosely translated (when Baba is , when Baba is gone) ” and did not complete the sentence as the jubilant crowd cheered on.
And the enraged Suna East MP Junet Mohammed who spoke at the function termed those eying Raila’s place as treason.
“Those people bringing irrelevant and useless discussion on 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 none business,’’ he said.
Junet Maintained that Raila will 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 the Director of Elections. You can go for that. But if you want to take Raila’s seat. We will pound you like potato,” Junet said.
Babu has been traversing several parts of Nyanza in a bid to identify with the grassroots and this has caused disquiet in some sectors of the political class.
As clock tick, it is just a matter of time, that Babu may just find himself employing Raila’s strategy to claim the stake of Nyanza and Nairobi leadership.
