Babu Owino urges peace ahead of Broad-Based Jacaranda rally

NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 30 – Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has appealed to organisers and supporters attending Saturday’s ODM rally at Jacaranda Grounds to maintain peace, warning against any loss of life during the political gathering. Speaking during the unveiling of the Linda Mwananchi Movement secretariat, Owino said residents should be allowed to exercise their political rights without violence. “To those who will be coming here, I am the elected representative of Jacaranda and Embakasi East Constituency I want to tell you this because we respect human life and have love in our hearts.” “I want you to come and hold your rally peacefully. We do not want to bury any child in Embakasi East,” Owino said. In remarks directed at those organising the rally, the MP urged participants to conclude their activities and leave the venue peacefully, assuring residents that he would return afterwards to oversee the cleaning of the grounds. “The difference between us and you is that you may be younger than us, but we are wiser than you,” he added. The ODM rally comes weeks after the Linda Mwananchi Movement, led by a faction opposed to the party’s broad-based government arrangement, drew large crowds at the same venue on September 13, 2026. Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Owino have since stepped up efforts to mobilise supporters across Nairobi’s 17 constituencies. Lang’ata MP Phelix Odiwuor who is among the rally organisers, said the October 31 gathering seeks to consolidate support for the Oburu Oginga-led ODM, demonstrate the party’s organisational strength and attract voters amid concerns over its declining popularity. Meanwhile, Nairobi Regional Police Commander Issa Mohamud has assured ODM of adequate security during the event. He said police officers would be deployed along the route from Uhuru Park to Jacaranda Grounds to maintain security and ensure the peaceful movement of participants. The Regional Police boss warned against attempts to disrupt the gathering, saying security agencies would take the necessary measures to maintain law and order.