Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka has downplayed reported differences between Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, saying the two leaders do not have a personal fight.
Onyonka said the perceived differences were being amplified by their supporters as senior politicians work to bring the two sides together.
Speaking on Thursday at Radio Generation, Onyonka said senior politicians were engaging younger leaders and encouraging them to learn from the mistakes of those who came before them, exercise patience and rise above political noise.
“We will try and work on Babu. We will try and work on his relationship with Sifuna. They don’t have a fight per say. You have their people making noise; it is their people. We are working on it, and once everybody comes on board and we sit together, all shall be okay,” Onyonka said.
Onyonka also said he had previously been tasked by the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to advise Babu, particularly during Raila’s last elections.
“Historically, I’ve been given the responsibility of talking to Babu by none other than Raila. That’s what Raila used to ask me to do. Even in his last elections, Raila called me and said, ‘Talk to Babu. His ground is very slippery. Can you talk to him and advise him what to do?’” he said.
Onyonka said he had subsequently observed changes in Babu’s political conduct following their discussions.
He urged young politicians to be patient as they pursue higher office, saying political careers take time to develop.
“We are constantly telling the younger generation, learn to be patient. Babu can wait. He can wait. I have been in this thing for 20-something years. Yes, I’ve waited,” Onyonka said.
The senator said younger leaders should also learn to remain above political noise and become more measured as they take on greater responsibilities.
He said senior politicians would continue working with the younger generation, including efforts to improve relations between Babu and Sifuna.
Onyonka said the involvement of senior leaders, including Kalonzo Musyoka and others, could help bring the wider political team together.
Sifuna has emerged as one of the prominent voices within the opposition, while Babu has maintained a strong political presence in Nairobi through his Embakasi East constituency.
On Tuesday, Babu Owino threw his weight behind Sifuna’s presidential bid, declaring that he will focus on mobilising the capital’s voters for the 2027 General Election.
Babu said Sifuna was his preferred candidate for President under the Linda Mwananchi political movement, and pledged to use his networks across Nairobi to campaign for the senator.
“I will support Sifuna as a presidential candidate in 2027. He is our presidential candidate,” Babu said while addressing journalists in Nairobi.
The MP said he would shift part of his political focus from attending Linda Mwananchi rallies across the country to building support for the movement in Nairobi.
He said the capital had 85 wards and nearly 2.5 million registered voters who would be central to the movement’s campaign strategy.
“I want to focus also on matters Nairobi campaign. I want to campaign in Nairobi. Nairobi has now close to 2.5 million registered voters that I need to mobilise so that they can vote for Sifuna,” he said.
