Embakasi East MP and Linda Mwananchi leader Paul Ongili Owino, popularly known as Babu Owino, has announced plans to form a new political party that he says will shake up Luo politics and usher in a new generation of leaders.
Speaking on Saturday during the funeral service of the late former Major General Michael Deya Nyagudi at the Power of Jesus Around the World Church in Kisumu, Babu vowed that the proposed party would challenge what he described as a culture of lazy, corrupt, and ineffective leadership in Nyanza.
“I am bringing you a new party, and that political party will ensure lazy and corrupt political leaders in Nyanza go home and never set foot in Parliament again or become governors of any county in Nyanza,” Babu said.
The outspoken legislator said the new outfit would be founded on internal democracy, with aspirants required to face open nominations rather than being handed direct tickets.
He warned that politicians who had allegedly relied on political connections or past associations with the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga would no longer have an easy ride ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“You used to be carried on the back. This time round, it will be sieving, and nobody will get it easy. The new party will wipe out leaders who have failed to work for the people of Nyanza,” he said.
Babu also defended his decision to contest the Nairobi governorship, dismissing opposition to his ambition from some leaders and members of the Nyanza community.
He argued that his political ambitions should be judged by Nairobi voters rather than members of his community, particularly if residents of the capital are willing to support his candidature.
“It is only an insane person who would oppose a leader vying for a seat in Nairobi,” he added.
Turning his political firepower on Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma, Babu urged voters in the constituency to reconsider his re-election, declaring that the legislator could become the “first casualty” of the political changes he is seeking to introduce in Luo Nyanza.
Babu accused Kaluma and other unnamed leaders of failing to deliver for their constituents, saying the proposed political movement would serve as a platform for voters to remove leaders they believe have underperformed.
He also challenged politicians supporting the Kenya Kwanza administration to use their political influence to secure development projects and other benefits for the people of Nyanza.
“Let them exercise their democracy in peace. Let them hunt and bring goodies to the people of Nyanza as we also hunt on the other side,” he noted.
The Embakasi East MP further appealed to young people from Nyalenda to reject political violence and refuse to be used as political weapons during the 2027 campaigns.
He warned that youths involved in political goonism risked losing their lives while gaining little or nothing to improve their livelihoods.
Meanwhile, Luo Council of Elders chairman Ker Odungi Randa called for political tolerance and peaceful coexistence in the region.
Randa warned against a return to politics of intolerance and urged politicians and their supporters to embrace peace as Kenya heads towards the 2027 General Election.
“There is no room for political violence,” Randa said, calling on leaders and their supporters to respect differing political views and maintain peace.
