In a dramatic intervention that has ignited fresh political debate, Homa Bay Town Member of Parliament Peter Kaluma has issued a stark warning to his embattled ODM colleague, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, likening his political ambitions to the tragic flight of the mythical figure Icarus.
The warning comes amid Babu Owino’s increasingly public disaffection with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leadership and his strategic alignment with a new, youthful Kenya Moja political faction.
MP Kaluma, a staunch defender of party leader Raila Odinga, directly addressed Babu’s gubernatorial designs.
“Babu, Like Icarus, you’re flying too close to the sun! Retrace your way back to Baba before it’s late,” Kaluma said.
He underscored the futility of Babu’s ambition in the face of those opposed to him stating they have always undermined him.
“These guys have run a candidate against you and petitioned the courts to nullify your election in every contest. They’ll never vote for you to be the Governor of Nairobi,” Kaluma added.
The mythical reference to Icarus, who ignored his father’s warnings, flew too close to the sun with wax wings, and fell to his demise, is a potent metaphor in the high-stakes game of Kenyan politics. Kaluma’s message is clear, Babu’s ambition is outpacing his political prudence, and without the protective wing of ‘Baba’ and the ODM party, a political fall is inevitable.
This very public admonition follows Babu Owino’s recent declarations where he openly conceded that the ODM ticket for the Nairobi Governor seat in 2027 is likely beyond his reach. He pointed to Raila Odinga’s public endorsement of the current Governor, Johnson Sakaja of UDA, during a prayer meeting at Bomas of Kenya.
“I am sure I will not get the ODM ticket to vie for Nairobi Governor in 2027,” Babu stated. “Raila endorsed Sakaja in Bomas but I will respect Raila as my political godfather even though all my plans are in God’s hands.”
The MP, once considered a die-hard Raila soldier, expressed feelings of being sidelined, suggesting his loyalty and sacrifices for the party have been overlooked.
“Nobody has ever loved Raila like I did; I was among the first people to be detained by the Ruto administration for three days because of my belief in Raila,” he recounted, framing himself as a loyalist being pushed to the periphery.
Rather than retreating, Babu appears to be spreading his wings elsewhere. His political maneuvers have seen him join forces with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Sabaot MP Caleb Amisi, and Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba to form the ‘Kenya Moja Alliance’.
This vibrant and vocal group, attracting significant praise from the youth, is seen as a more youthful, aggressive wing within the ODM Party, potentially positioning itself as an alternative power center.
While Babu has declared he will “respect” Raila, he has not rescinded his ambition to vie for the Nairobi Governor’s seat, currently occupied by Sakaja who himself just survived an impeachment motion after a truce between President William Ruto and Raila Odinga forced MCAs to stand down.
Kaluma’s warning, therefore, sets the stage for a classic political showdown and it remains to be seen whether Babu Owino will heed the warning to “retrace his steps” or if he will continue his high-flying ambition, betting that his new alliances and direct connection with the youth will provide wings strong enough to withstand the sun’s heat.
