“Babu Owino is Not Undermining Linda Mwananchi,” Lawyer Lifts Lid on Divisions Within Movement

Lawyer Adrian Oluoch has defended Babu Owino against claims that registering the Mwananchi Party amounts to an attempt to undermine Linda Mwananchi or Edwin Sifuna.

Oluoch said Mwananchi Party was registered after Linda Mwananchi’s principals agreed that Babu should pursue the name, following an unsuccessful attempt to register Linda Mwananchi as a political party.

His remarks come as public debate over the political parties linked to Linda Mwananchi has fuelled questions about Babu’s relationship with Sifuna. Babu, however, has continued to maintain that he supports Sifuna’s presidential bid.

Oluoch Explains Mwananchi Party Registration

Oluoch said he held a meeting with Babu and principals of Linda Mwananchi to establish what had happened and clarify the matter to supporters.

“The person who is undermining Linda Mwananchi is not Babu Owino,” he said.

According to Oluoch, the principals had initially agreed to reserve and register the name Linda Mwananchi Party. That attempt failed after the Registrar of Political Parties objected to the name because Linda Party had already been registered in 2024.

Also Read: Babu Owino Confirms Ownership of Mwananchi Party

He said the principals then agreed to pursue Mwananchi Party instead and tasked Babu with handling its registration.

“All the principals agreed to it and Babu was recently successful with it,” Oluoch said.

Oluoch said the agreement also explains why Mwananchi Party carries colours and symbols associated with Linda Mwananchi.

He therefore disputed claims that Babu had secretly created a party to work against the movement.

Oluoch Says Babu and Sifuna Are Not the Issue

Oluoch said the public discussion had shifted from the original agreement over Mwananchi Party to questions about Babu’s relationship with Sifuna.

He said Babu did not use the party registration as a way of forcing other principals to join his political vehicle.

“Babu could not force them to join the agreed Mwananchi Party,” Oluoch said, adding that Babu instead saw an opportunity for Mwananchi Party and another political outfit to exist alongside each other.

Also Read: Babu Sets Record Straight on His Support for Sifuna Amid Sharp Divisions Within Linda Mwananchi

Babu has separately rejected suggestions that the party question has damaged his relationship with Sifuna, saying he will continue supporting the Nairobi senator’s presidential ambitions.

Oluoch also raised concern over social media accounts he claimed were posing as Sifuna supporters while fuelling arguments among Linda Mwananchi supporters. He did not provide evidence for the allegation.

He instead called on supporters to stop turning the party question into a fight between Babu and Sifuna.“I want every young person of Linda Mwananchi to salvage this situation. I want us to unite,” Oluoch said.

Oluoch urged supporters to focus on Linda Mwananchi rather than discussions portraying Babu as working against Sifuna.

“This discussion of division must end today,” he said.

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Lawyer Adrian Oluoch. PHOTO/X