Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has dismissed claims that the opposition is rebellious, insisting that their actions stem from a genuine commitment to serve the people.
“There’s no rebellion, only passion. Passion to fight for the people, to reduce the high cost of living, to end overtaxation, and to hold the government accountable to its promises,” the youthful legislator said in an interview with Spice FM on Thursday, August 21.
Babu also argued that Parliament must not be reduced to an extension of the Executive, but should reclaim its independence and authority.
“In Parliament, some leaders have a vision to transform the nation, while others only push the President’s bills. It’s time for Parliament to regain its independence and stop serving the Executive. Parliament should reclaim its lost glory,” Owino declared.
He added: He added: “The work of the opposition is to provide oversight. We are in Parliament, and the role of Parliament as an independent body is to oversee the Executive. If oversighting the Executive is considered rebellion, then I am proud to be rebellious.”
He further accused the government of hypocrisy in its anti-graft campaigns, alleging that corruption thrives within its own ranks.
“Instead of ‘Dishi na County,’ the government is busy ‘Dishing the County.’ The Governor of Nairobi has been making double payments to suppliers. If the President is genuine about fighting corruption, then he should begin with the people around him, because they are the most corrupt,” he charged.
The MP also raised concern over alleged financial irregularities at the national level.
“The Executive itself is rotten. Over 40 billion has been siphoned from e-Citizen by the Executive. Look at what is happening, including the construction of the church in State House. How much does the President even earn? If the President really wants to fight corruption, he must begin by cleaning his own house first. After all, he who comes to equity must come with clean hands.”
He questioned whether the anti-corruption drive was genuine or political theatre.
“What if this is just a game, a way for the President to appear as a victim who is trying to fight corruption, while being fought so that he can win back the souls of Kenyans?” Owino asked.
Babu Owino is among the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) parliamentarians who have found themselves in a ‘no man’s land’ after ODM signed a unity pact with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
The deal, signed in March 2025, technically meant that ODM, the main party within the Opposition Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya Coalition, was in government.
However, a section of MPs — like Babu, Caleb Amisi (Saboti) and Senator Edwin Sifuna — have had difficult time singing praises for a government they feel is heading Kenya into the wrong direction.
