In a dramatic turn of events during the launch of Raila Odinga’s bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairmanship, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni openly criticized Kenyan MP Babu Owino, accusing him of mobilizing Ugandan opposition leaders against his government. Museveni remarked, “There are some characters in Raila’s group who don’t know what they are doing, a character like Babu Owino,” directly addressing Owino’s involvement in Ugandan politics.
The remarks, made in the presence of Raila Odinga, were met with a swift and pointed response from MP Babu Owino. In his statement, Owino expressed gratitude to President Museveni for supporting Raila’s AUC bid but did not shy away from addressing the accusations leveled against him.
“I thank President Museveni for supporting BABA’S bid for AUC Chairmanship. However, as a young leader in Kenya, having grown up in poverty, I know what it means to lack. If you tell me that you’ve slept hungry, I know what it means to lack food because I’ve been through that,” Owino began, grounding his response in personal experience.
Owino, known for his vocal advocacy on social justice issues, emphasized his commitment to a democratic society where every child in Kenya, and indeed Africa, has access to basic necessities such as education, healthcare, and employment. He extended this vision to Uganda, highlighting the need for African leaders to present alternative leadership models that address the continent’s persistent challenges.
“Because of the challenges that we face in Kenya and Africa, we as leaders are meant to provide solutions. As MP. Babu Owino, I stand for a democratic society where a child in Kenya will receive proper medication, education, and will equally get a job. Equally, a child in Uganda should receive the same treatment as a child in Kenya,” he continued.
Owino concluded by reiterating the need for leaders who can free Africans from “the shackles of oppression and the jaws of poverty,” positioning himself as an advocate for change not just in Kenya but across the continent.
