Babu Owino Trolls Media Reports Of Being Kicked Out Of Parliament Role
The vocal Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) legislator clarified that he attended a meeting consisting of young lawmakers drawn from the Azimio la Umoja coalition and decided to resign from the position.
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Embakasi East Member of Parliament (MP) Babu Owino on Monday, September 4 accused media houses of misrepresenting facts regarding his replacement as the Secretary General of Kenya Young Parliamentarians Association (KYPA).
Babu was replaced from the role 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.
Speaking in a video shared on his Facebook page, the vocal Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) legislator clarified that he attended a meeting consisting of young lawmakers drawn from the Azimio la Umoja coalition and decided to resign from the position.
Embakasi East MP, Babu Owino speaking while distributing bursary cheques to the People of Mihang’o, Embakasi East on May 31, 2023. /BABU OWINO
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 decided to relinquish their roles having served at KYPA for one year, with him serving as SG in the last Parliament for five years.
“We did this for the best interest of all of us, for rotational leadership and KYPA must stick to its principals we must never be overtaken by the government because this is a caucus that should protect the interest of youth in this nation,” the ODM lawmaker argued.
Babu laughed off media reports claiming that he was kicked out of the position, arguing that it was KYPA who needed him more than he needed KYPA.
“There was nothing like Babu being kicked out. Do I look like someone who can be kicked out of KYPA? It is KYPA that needs Babu Owino and Babu Owino does not need KYPA, but for the collective interest of all members of parliament and the respect we have for KYPA that is what makes us part of it,” he trolled.
The appointed leaders will officially assume their roles in Mombasa next week when the KYPA holds a retreat in Mombasa.
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.
Notably, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja was the KYPA Chairman when he was the Senator of Nairobi County.
