Babu Owino to ODM leadership: 'Count me out of Singapore journey'

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino on Sunday dismissed the government’s “Singapore model” promise as an illusion.

Speaking during an address at Coast PAG Church in Kawangware, Dagoreti North Constituency, he said the late ODM leader showed the way to Canaan.

“Huwezi enda Singapore ukiwa na njaa nyumbani.”

(You cannot reach Singapore while there is hunger at home.)

Mr Owino described the daily hardships of families, from mothers who wake up early to sell vegetables for school fees to youths hustling with boda bodas to pay rent.

“Mama anaamka asubuhi anaenda kuuza mboga ili apate karo ya shule… Kijana anaendesha bodaboda ili apate kodi ya nyumba.”

(A mother wakes up early to sell vegetables for school fees… A young man rides a motorcycle to earn house rent.)

Mr Owino took the stage in Kawangware and framed his message in social and spiritual terms, shifting the focus back to ordinary Kenyans’ needs.

In his address, he took aim at internal party leadership questions.

He likened the late Raila Odinga, ODM to the biblical Moses--a leader who saw the Promised Land, but did not enter--and positioned himself as Joshua, ready to lead the next generation.

“Baba amekuja akatuacha kwa Mount Nibo kama Musa… Baada ya Baba ni Babu Joshua kuwafikisha Canaan.”
(Father came and left us am Mt Nebo… After Baba is Babu the Joshua to take us to Canaan).

President William Ruto has repeatedly held up the idea of Kenya becoming a global economic hub — often referenced by critics as the “Singapore Model”.

He is suggesting that ambitious reform could lift the country into first‑world prosperity.

Supporters in government say the narrative reflects a long‑term vision of modernisation and investment.

Critics say it’s a slogan disconnected from the everyday struggles of most Kenyans.

At the same time, divisions have emerged within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) over possible alliance and merger talks with Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ahead of the 2027 general election.

Some leaders within ODM say coalition discussions with UDA could broaden the party’s base and improve electoral chances.

Others resist the idea entirely, arguing that it undermines ODM’s identity, dilutes its principles, and weakens anchor support among its core voters.

Mr Owino revisited the issue and called for a meeting to decide the way forward for ODM.

He said ODM’s constitution allows for a National Delegates Conference (NDC) to be convened if at least 1,000 delegates sign a petition calling on the Secretary‑General to summon one.

“Sisi tunasema Raila Amolo Odinga hakuwahi toka ndani ya ODM kwenda kutafuta vyama vingine.”
(We say that Raila Amolo Odinga never left ODM to join other parties.)