“Things Changed Without My Knowledge”- Babu Owino Reveals Alleged Power-Sharing Deal With Senator Edwin Sifuna

Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has revealed details of an alleged initial power-sharing agreement between himself and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna prior to their political split following their exit from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

Speaking during a recorded interview with a local media house on Friday, November 13, 2026, Owino stated that as the group planned to chart a new political path outside ODM, they had agreed that Sifuna would serve as the presidential flagbearer while Owino would assume the role of party leader. According to the legislator, the arrangement had the backing of other allies preparing to exit the Orange Party alongside them.

However, Owino claimed that once the group left ODM, the terms of the pact were altered without his consent, as certain members pushed for Sifuna to take over the party leadership as well.

“Initially, we had agreed with Sifuna and other members that the moment we get the party out, Sifuna was to be the presidential candidate and I was to be the party leader, but things changed. I also don’t know how things changed,” Owino stated.

The Mwananchi Party leader noted that while some allies argued a presidential candidate could not effectively run without holding the party leadership, he maintained that dividing the roles was necessary to allow both leaders room to grow politically.

“Some were saying that a presidential candidate cannot fail to be a party leader. But we said that we needed to both of us grow. Both of us had to grow,” he added.

Diverging Political Vehicles Ahead of 2027

Owino’s revelations come weeks after he parted ways with the Linda Mwananchi Movement and joined the Muungano Party—which has since rebranded as the Mwananchi Party—a move that fueled widespread speculation of a fallout between the two vocal lawmakers.

Meanwhile, Senator Sifuna had initially sought to register the Linda Mwananchi Movement as an independent political party, but after encountering hurdles at the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP), he joined The Equitable Party (TEP). On Friday, November 13, TEP officially rebranded as the Linda Mwananchi Movement party, securing Sifuna’s political vehicle ahead of the next general election.

Citing Gachagua’s Impeachment on Party Ownership

Defending his decision to establish a separate political base, Owino argued that pursuing an independent path was essential to safeguarding his political future, stressing that one leader’s rise should not come at the expense of another’s.

Pointing to the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Owino asserted that owning an independent political party provides crucial protection against shifting political alliances, noting that Gachagua himself previously acknowledged he would not have been ousted had he controlled his own political outfit.