Babu lands party job as ODM party appoints five MPs

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino [Photo Michael Mute, Standard]

After missing out on plum parliamentary committee slots, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has landed a party position in ODM.

The Raila Odinga-led party has effected changes which has made Mr Owino the Secretary in charge Science and Technology, replacing politician Steve Mbogo in what appears to be placating the outspoken lawmaker. He bitterly complained over what he saw as plans to bypass him in the Parliamentary Accounts Committee chairmanship.

The changes were announced in a Gazette notice by the Registrar of Political Parties Ann Nderitu in exercise of the powers conferred to her by section 20 (1) (c) of the Political Parties Act, 2011.

Further to the notice, Taita Taveta Senator Johnes Mwaruma is the National Vice Chairperson replacing former Wundayi MP Thomas Mwadheghu who contested the area governorship seat in last elections land lost to Andrew Mwadime.

"Any person with written submissions concerning the intended changes by the political party shall within seven days from the date of this publication make their written submissions to the Registrar of Political Parties," said Nderitu in the notice.

Kwale Woman MP Zulekha Juma Hassan has also replaced Kilifi North MP Owen Baya as the Party Deputy Secretary General after the former defected to the United Democratic Alliance Party shortly before the general election and is currently the Deputy Majority Leader in the National Assembly.

Kilifi South MP Ken Chonga has replaced the late Msambweni MP Suleiman Dori as the Deputy Party Organising Secretary General with the position remaining vacant since the legislator died in March 2020 following a sudden illness.

At the same time, Wajir North MP Ahmed Abdisalan Ibrahim has replaced Abdikadir Mohammed as ODM National Organising Secretary while Stella Chepkirui has replaced Bomet politician Ronald Ngeny as Secretary for Environment.