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However, although couched as a platform to check the government, Tuesday's forum lifted the lid on the underlying succession undertones roiling Azimio.
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Owino is among opposition politicians being touted as Raila's successors in the ODM part, should the former prime minister succeed in his AU quest.
Image: WAMUCHOMBA/X
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino on Tuesday led a section of MPs including Gathoni Wamuchomba (Githunguri) to launch a new opposition alliance to keep the government in check.
Owino, whose official name is Paul Ongili, told a press conference that the unveiling of the forum follows "laxity" seen in the main opposition coalition in fighting for the rights of Kenyans.
The vocal MP said the team will traverse the country to "take its rightful position" to push for the welfare of all Kenyans including through street protests.
"This team will be on the ground to fight for the voice of the voiceless, to fight for the inherent and inalienable right of every Kenyan wherever they are in the eight regions," Owino declared.
The MP warned that the new opposition forum will call for countrywide protests in every “ward and constituency" to push the government to address the plight of Kenyans.
“This Maandamano (protests) would be better imagined than experienced,” Owino said.
On her part, Wamuchomba called the new outfit “Team Kusikiza Ground.”
She said the team is made up of MPs who have teamed up today to stress the need for the government to address pressing issues affecting Kenyans irrespective of their political parties.
"We discussed issues on fake fertilisers and seeds, alcoholism, the Haiti mission, high taxation and the Doctors' strike," she posted on her X account after the address.
However, although couched as a platform to check the government, Tuesday's forum lifted the lid on the underlying succession undertones roiling Azimio.
Since he declared his interest in the AU top job, Raila appears to have toned down his attacks on the government.
Political pundits say, Raila’s softened stance is a strategy not to antagonize the government, whose backing is critical to win the AU job.
In the meantime, his lieutenants in Azimio and his ODM party are positioning themselves to succeed him with Babu’s latest move seen as part of jostling.
Owino is among opposition politicians being touted as Raila's successors in the ODM part, should the former prime minister succeed in his AU quest.
“We have issues that we will be addressing from time to time. This is a team that we will give direction in this country because what we have seen is an issue of laxity in the opposition,” Owino said.
The politician introduced members of the new forum as MPs Mark Mwenje (Embakasi West), Caleb Amisi (Saboti), Wamuchomba (Githunguri) and Busia Women Representative Catherine Omanyo as leaders of the team in their respective regions.
Others are Amos Mwago(Starehe) and Charles Nguna (Mwingi West).
“This team will take its rightful place to ensure that issues of Kenyans are fought for objectively and is not limited to holding rallies to discuss the plight of Kenyans," he said.
Owino they will sustain pressure on the government to address the ongoing strike by doctors is addressed
“Right now, doctors are striking and this is their 14 days on strike. We don’t want the government to relax and let the doctors fight for 100 days that happened in 2016,’’ Owino said.
“There was a CBA that was signed between the government and the doctors and it entailed that doctors being paid arrears owed by the government. We want that paid.”