Millie Odhiambo Says Nairobi Dynamics Force Babu Owino and Sifuna to Maintain Opposition Stance

Millie Odhiambo Says Nairobi Dynamics Force Babu Owino and Sifuna to Maintain Opposition Stance

Suba North Member of Parliament Millie Odhiambo has defended Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna over their perceived defiance within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), attributing their political posture to the unique dynamics of Nairobi’s urban electorate.

Speaking on Monday, November 17, Odhiambo argued that the two leaders were not rebelling against ODM but were instead responding to the political realities of their constituencies. She described Nairobi’s political landscape as inherently opposition-driven, requiring its representatives to adopt a more confrontational stance.

“What is the position of the people whose voters are primarily in Nairobi? What is the position of Babu and Sifuna? Is Nairobi predominantly broad-based? Of course not, which is very normal in urban politics anywhere in the world; they are usually very oppositionist in nature,” Odhiambo said.

She further explained that while she could comfortably promote a broad-based approach in her Suba North constituency, Nairobi’s political expectations were markedly different.

“For me, I can go to Suba and say I am broad-based and talk to people of Suba North to follow me in broad-based, but Nairobi is a totally different dynamic. That is why I am very understanding of Sifuna and Babu when people attack them and say, ‘Why don’t you follow this direction?’ In politics, people look out also for their own interests,” she added.

Rising Speculation Around Babu Owino

Babu Owino has increasingly drawn attention for his outspoken nature and bold political declarations. During the ODM@20 celebrations in Mombasa, the MP openly challenged the party’s leadership structure, asserting his capability to lead the party.

His remarks came amid speculation about his future within ODM, especially given his vocal criticism of the Kenya Kwanza administration. Despite a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ODM and the government, Owino has maintained a combative stance, pledging to honour the legacy of the late Raila Odinga through renewed calls for public protests if government policies fail to serve ordinary Kenyans.

Sifuna’s Firm Position

Senator Edwin Sifuna, who serves as ODM Secretary General, has also faced scrutiny over his refusal to align with the government’s broad-based narrative. On October 30, Sifuna cautioned party members against loosely using the term “broad-based” to describe ODM’s relationship with the Kenya Kwanza administration.

His stance was further reinforced when both he and Owino skipped a joint ODM-UDA parliamentary group meeting held at the KCB Leadership Centre in Karen, which was chaired by President William Ruto.

Ethnicity and Urban Politics

Odhiambo also touched on the broader context of Kenyan politics, noting that ethnic considerations continue to influence political behaviour—even in urban centres like Nairobi.

“Let us also be realistic about the nature of our politics in Kenya; it is very ethnic-based and you would want to hope that in urban places like Nairobi, it is not, but it is,” she said.

Her comments suggest that political strategy in Nairobi requires a nuanced approach, balancing party loyalty with constituency expectations.

Conclusion

Millie Odhiambo’s remarks offer a layered perspective on the internal dynamics of ODM and the pressures faced by urban legislators. As the party navigates leadership transitions and its evolving relationship with the government, figures like Babu Owino and Edwin Sifuna remain central to debates about opposition politics and party identity in Kenya’s capital.

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Millie Odhiambo Says Nairobi Dynamics Force Babu Owino and Sifuna to Maintain Opposition Stance