Babu unchained: Will he upset ODM?

He is young, ambitious, and politically free, and he has now turned a new page in his political book, marking a critical moment in his career as he forges a new path with a new party.

And as the clock ticks towards the 2027 General Elections and political realignments continue to take shape across the country, all eyes are on Embakasi East MP Babu Owino after he unveiled The Mwananchi Party.

The party is the vehicle he plans to use to challenge for the Nairobi governorship, but he also aims to build it into a mega powerhouse nationwide, including in areas where ODM has wielded significant support.

To some, he is an overambitious young man attempting to disrupt the status quo, but to his supporters, he is the future of the country’s politics and the worthy inheritor of the late Raila Odinga’s political cradle. It remains to be seen if his pursuit will be successful but a tough journey awaits him ahead.

In Nyanza, one of the backbones of ODM’s support, Babu’s political light has been growing and enjoys the backing of significant numbers of young people.

A section of observers believe the new party will present a headache to the ODM party and might be a fallback plan for several leaders unhappy with the Orange party in its strongholds.

Elder Pius Okello, who represents Kisumu Central at the Luo Council of Elders, argued that Babu Owino's move was timely as it fills the gap allegedly left by the ODM party after the death of its leader, the late Raila Odinga.

"The party will grow and can become more powerful than ODM because Babu is young and he will inspire more young people to join the party. The Mwanainchi Party might be the new ODM Party because it'll continue to pursue political power, especially the presidency, that ODM seems to have given up on after the death of Raila Odinga," Okello told The Standard during a telephone interview.

Dick Orongo, an observer, believes he will challenge ODM and might present the behemoth party with a fresh headache as it bids to win significant seats next year.

"Babu is going to pose a big challenge to ODM because it looks more like an alternative to ODM, especially in ODM's traditional strongholds, and the fact that it is youth-led will make it more attractive to many voters in ODM bases, especially in Nairobi and Nyanza," he said.

For a start, Babu and his supporters  have embarked on an intensive mobilisation drive as they seek to draw more supporters to their fold.

In Nyanza, among those who have already jumped into his ship is advocate Clifford Obiero who is eyeing the Rangwe parliamentary seat, and believes the party will be a force to reckon with in the region and across the country.

Some elders, however, are expressing caution and argue that the legislator could have remained in ODM.

A section of elders from his Luo Nyanza backyard who spoke to The Standard were reluctant to endorse Babu Owino's decision to form his own party, calling it rushed and ill-advised.

"Babu Owino is too ambitious; it can hurt him and dim his political star," cautions Ogongo Oyano, an elder from Nyakach clan.

According to Oyano, Owino ought to have been patient within the ODM party as they try to figure out their next political move after the death of the late opposition leader Raila, who was widely regarded as the community's political leader over the last few decades.

According to Mzee Otieno Odek, another elder, the Embakasi East MP's move to form his own party is justifiable only as a democratic right but with very little political significance.

"Ambition drives people differently. He has some political ambitions which he thought he could not pursue within ODM. He's simply trying to navigate his way into the national political stage." Odek said.

According to Political analyst and lawyer Joshua Nyamori, Babu's move to form his own party was informed by the wrangles and distrust in Linda Mwanainchi.

"Babu Owino's decision to form his own party is because of the trust deficit in Linda Mwanainchi. They don't trust each other, and therefore Babu could not sit easy under someone else's party." Nyamori said.

Nyamori believes that Babu's future is brighter in ODM.

For the young people, however, Babu is a representation of the future and deserves to be supported as he builds his political vehicle.

In Nyanza, very few parties have successfully challenged ODM for seats, although that record depended largely on the late Raila, who carried the party on his shoulders and dragged it to win seats seamlessly.