Babu Owino steps up support for Raila’s AU bid
Embakasi East lawmaker Paul Ongili Owino, also known as Babu Owino, has pledged to campaign across the African continent for Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga to secure the position of Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC).
Babu Owino, a staunch ally of Mr Odinga, who also serves as the leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party, has announced his intention to garner support for Odinga as he seeks the top position within the African Union.
As Raila Odinga rallies for backing in his bid for the AUC leadership, Babu Owino has committed to traveling throughout the continent to rally support for him.
The vocal ODM politician asserts he will engage African Heads of State to garner support for Mr Odinga, leveraging the relationships he established during his tenure as a student leader on campus.
Babu Owino, who pursued a bachelor’s degree in Actuarial Science at the University of Nairobi (UoN), stated, “I will engage with presidents across Africa. Personally, I have built friendships with several of them, and I will rally them to support Baba (Raila Odinga) in clinching the AUC Chair position”.
Drawing from his close ties with various African leaders, Babu Owino expressed confidence in Odinga’s prospects.
“I have fostered strong relationships with numerous African presidents since my days as a students’ president. It was a president knowing other presidents,” boasted the opposition-affiliated lawmaker.
Additionally, Babu Owino, a vocal critic of President William Ruto, emphasized that the recently established movement, Team Ground, comprising Azimio politicians and a segment of Kenya Kwanza opposed to President Ruto’s leadership style, will join forces to champion Odinga’s candidacy.
“Team Ground will actively support Baba (Raila Odinga) in various countries. We will reach out to Congolese, Nigerians, Rwandans, Ugandans, and Tanzanians residing in Kenya to lobby their respective presidents to endorse him,” he elaborated.
Babu Owino, alongside Githunguri MP Gathoni Wa Muchomba (Kenya Kwanza), is among the elected leaders spearheading the Team Ground Movement.
Dr Ruto, along with the Kenya Kwanza brigade, is also advocating for Odinga’s victory in securing the AUC chair position.
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