Babu Owino Changes Tune, Goes After 5 KYPA Officials

Embakasi East Member of Parliament (MP) Babu Owino has made an about-turn on his resignation as the Secretary General of Kenya Young Parliamentarians Association (KYPA).

Speaking in a video he shared on Friday, September 8, the vocal Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) lawmaker revealed that he decided to step down from the position to test his enemies' resolve at KYPA.

He stated that he faked his exit from KYPA to catch his rivals off-guard, adding that he would issue further directions regarding the future of the association.

“The other day I did say that I had resigned. I wanted to test and see my enemies in KYPA, the people who would start opposing me in KYPA.

"There is nothing like resignation as the Secretary General of KYPA, I will give a way forward on what should be done in KYPA,” he stated.

Babu further revealed that KYPA received communication from the Registrar of Societies notifying that the changes in its top leadership are illegal, indicating a coup that was in the works by a section of KYPA members to oust him as Secretary-General.

He stamped his foot by threatening to eject five members from KYPA, without trial.

“The registrar of societies did write a letter to KYPA communicating that whatever was done in the sham elections is not recognized and legal. 

"Therefore the coup that was planned by some members of KYPA will not hold. As the secretary-general, I will expel five members without trial from KYPA. I will draft a letter soon,” Babu added, without mentioning the names of the five members who would face his axe.

On Monday, September 4, the lawmaker dismissed media reports indicating that he was replaced from KYPA on Saturday night, September 2 by nominated MP Irene Mayaka in a meeting chaired by Embakasi West MP Mark Mwenje at Saboti MP Caleb Amisi's residence in Karen Nairobi.

He had clarified that he attended a meeting consisting of young lawmakers drawn from the Azimio la Umoja coalition and decided to resign from the position.

This, he explained, was to allow other Azimio MPs currently serving in the 13th Parliament to steer KYPA in the right direction as the SG.

"We did meet as 15 members of parliament from the Azimio la Umoja coalition and I decided as Babu Owino to step down from my position as the secretary general and give a chance to other new members of parliament to get to serve us in various positions," he set the record straight.

He added that Mwenje also stepped down from the position of Deputy Secretary-General of KYPA in favour of the role of the Deputy Minority Whip in Parliament.

ODM nominated Senator, Hezena Lemaletian stepped down as treasurer, with Kitui Woman Representative Irene Kasalu picked to replace her.

Babu argued that they had decided to relinquish their roles having served at KYPA for one year, with him serving as SG in the last Parliament for five years.

KYPA is a caucus for the young parliamentarians in Kenya formed in 2004 and is a lobby group meant for MPs aged 40 and under. Currently, the association's membership stands at 70.