Kenyan legislator Babu Owino has hit back at Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni after the latter accused him of meddling in the neighbouring country’s politics.
Taking to X hours after Museveni’s speech, the outspoken MP downplayed the remarks by the Ugandan President reiterating his support for democracy as a leader.
Owino recounted his political journey saying he was raised in a humble background and understands the plight of the poor and those in need.
In the same way, he compared the current economic situation in Kenya with that of the neighbouring Uganda saying young people in the two nations require good and visionary leaders who understand them.
“I thank President Museveni for supporting Baba’s bid for AUC Chairmanship. However, as a young leader in Kenya, having grown up in poverty, I know what it means to lack,” stated Owino.
“If you tell me that you’ve slept hungry, I know what it means to lack food because I’ve been through that. If you tell me that you lack school fees, I will feel you because I know what it is to lack school fees. Because of the challenges that we face in Kenya and Africa, we as leaders are meant to provide solutions.”
In what appeared to be poking holes into Museveni’s autocratic leadership spanning over 38 years, the lawmaker advocated for the rights of Ugandan people through democracy, opining that Africans deserve “alternative visions of leadership” to save them from oppression and poverty.
“As Babu Owino, I stand for a democratic society where a child in Kenya will receive proper medication, and education and will equally get a job. Equally, a child in Uganda should receive the same treatment as a child in Kenya,” he noted.
“Because of this, we must offer alternative visions of leadership that will save Africans from the shackles of oppression and the jaws of poverty.”
Museveni who spoke on Tuesday while endorsing Raila Odinga’s African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson bid at State House in Nairobi, accused Owino of indulgence in his country’s politics, saying he had information that Owino was collaborating with Uganda’s opposition.
“There are some individuals in Raila’s group who I don’t think know what they are doing. I am a consumer of intelligence services so I always see intelligence service reports,” he said.
“There is a character called Babu. I always see Babu dealing with anti-NRM groups. I have never accused him but now I am accusing him.”
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has also since come out to hit at Museveni for verbally reprimanding Owino while in Kenya.
“Whatever beef Museveni has with Babu Owino, I strongly object to the manner of his attack on a young Kenyan leader on our own soil,” said Sifuna.
He further opined that Museveni should have addressed the allegations through diplomatic channels instead of publicly criticizing Owino.
He stated: “Kenya is a country ruled by law and if there is any objectionable conduct on the part of Babu, there are diplomatic channels to convey that to Kenyan Authorities and let the law take its cause. “To use a Presidential Podium to make such grave accusations against a Kenyan is a NO!”
— Citizen Kenya
