Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has exposed the political bargain behind the Linda Mwananchi breakaway, revealing how he and Edwin Sifuna agreed to divide party leadership and the presidential ticket before disagreements over control of the new political outfit tore them apart.
In a recorded interview with K24 on Friday, November 13, Babu said the original arrangement was that Sifuna would be the presidential candidate while he would become party leader. He said other leaders preparing to leave the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) had agreed to the deal.
But after the group left ODM, Babu claims the understanding changed without his knowledge. Some members, he said, began arguing that a presidential candidate must also lead the party, effectively giving Sifuna control of both the presidential project and its political machinery.
The revelation exposes the power struggle behind the breakaway.
Babu Says Original Deal Split Presidency and Party Leadership ¶
Babu said the arrangement was intended to give both politicians room to grow.
“Initially, we had agreed with Sifuna and other members that the moment we get the party out, Sifuna was to be the presidential candidate and I was to be the party leader, but things changed. I also don't know how things changed,” he said.
He said some members later argued that whoever sought the presidency should automatically lead the party. Babu rejected that position, insisting the roles could be separated.
“Some were saying that a presidential candidate cannot fail to be a party leader. But we said that we needed to both of us grow. Both of us had to grow,” he added.
A party leader can influence organisation, appointments, nominations and strategy, while a presidential candidate becomes the face of the national campaign. Babu wanted Sifuna to carry the presidential ambition while he retained control of the party structure.
The arrangement depended on trust, which Babu says unravelled.
Fallout Exposes Fight Over Party Machinery ¶
Babu's remarks come weeks after he left the Linda Mwananchi political formation and joined Muungano Party, later rebranded as the Mwananchi Party. His departure fuelled speculation about a fallout with Sifuna.
“Politics is about interest. There is no way one was to grow and leave the other one down,” he said.
The split became more consequential as Sifuna pursued a separate party vehicle. He unveiled The Equitable Party on October 4 after distancing himself from ODM, with allies presenting him as its leader and presidential candidate. The party later pursued a change of name to Linda Mwananchi Movement, and the Registrar of Political Parties began the formal process in October.
The party's November 13 National Delegates Conference was cleared to proceed by the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal, which dismissed an application to stop it but allowed a substantive complaint over delegate selection to proceed to a full hearing. The decision did not determine whether the party had complied with its constitution.
The dispute concerns control of party machinery, nominations and coalition negotiations.
The timing is awkward for a movement seeking to present itself as an alternative before 2027. Its leaders now face questions that have dogged established parties: who holds authority, how decisions are reached and whether political partners can challenge leadership without being pushed aside.
Babu Says No Competition as Sifuna Eyes State House ¶
Babu rejected suggestions that he and Sifuna were competing for the same position. He said Sifuna was pursuing the presidency while he was focused on the Nairobi gubernatorial seat.
“There can't be competition between Babu and Sifuna. Sifuna is going for president, Babu is going for governor,” he said.
He maintained that he supports Sifuna's presidential ambitions despite choosing a separate political path. Supporting a candidate does not mean surrendering control of the party or one's political future.
Babu also explained why he wanted to remain party leader even if Sifuna became President. He argued that the arrangement would provide him with political security and create a measure of accountability over the person occupying State House.
His remarks leave questions unanswered. Who pushed to change the agreement, when did it happen and why was Babu allegedly not consulted? He did not identify those behind the revised position.
The dispute also tests the movement's promise of a different political culture. A formation built around accountability must explain who makes leadership decisions and whether dissent is tolerated.
Babu and Sifuna now pursue separate routes while insisting their ambitions do not conflict. His disclosure exposes a contest over party control. Supporters will want to know whose ambition the movement serves, as scrutiny of their leadership intensifies.
