Babu Owino, the Member of Parliament for Embakasi East, has responded to the recent claims made by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.
These allegations, which surfaced during the announcement of Raila Odinga’s candidacy for the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairmanship at State House in Nairobi, have generated considerable political attention and media scrutiny.
In his response, Babu expressed his appreciation to President Museveni for endorsing Odinga’s pursuit of the AUC Chairmanship.
He subsequently shifted the focus to more extensive issues affecting the youth and the future of leadership across Africa.
“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. If you tell me that you lack school fees, I will feel you because I know what it is to lack school fees,” he said.
Owino seized the opportunity to articulate his vision for leadership in Kenya and throughout Africa.
He emphasized the necessity for leaders who can understand the challenges faced by everyday citizens and offer practical solutions.
“Because of the challenges that we face in Kenya and Africa, we as leaders are meant to provide solutions,” he stated.
Drawing from his personal experiences, Owino articulated his dedication to fostering a democratic society in which every child is afforded access to vital services, including healthcare and education.
“As 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 stated.
Owino’s reply went beyond merely countering Museveni’s allegations; it emphasized a wider appeal for transformative leadership capable of tackling the pervasive challenges of poverty and oppression across Africa.
“We must offer alternative visions of leadership that will save Africans from the shackles of oppression and the jaws of poverty,” he concluded.
