Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has publicly distanced himself from
controversial blogger Maverick Aoko following online attacks directed at
members of the Odinga family.
According to the legislator, he neither directs her content nor shares
responsibility for her posts.
In a statement issued on social media, Babu acknowledged his friendship with
Aoko but insisted that she operates independently and does not act on his
instructions.
He said assumptions that he influences her commentary were misplaced.
“Maverick Aoko is my friend and my fierce supporter, of which I’m truly
grateful and appreciative,” Owino said.
“Oftentimes, when she posts on X, people are under the impression that I am
the one who tells her what to post. Maverick is an independent-minded person.”
The lawmaker categorically denied having any role in recent attacks
attributed to Aoko that targeted the Odinga family, a politically influential
household led by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Babu insisted that he neither knows Aoko’s sources nor condones personal
attacks against the family.
“I do not know her sources and have never told her to attack the Odinga
family,” he said.
The Embakasi East MP went on to emphasise his close personal relationship
with members of the Odinga family, arguing that it would be illogical and
disrespectful for him to insult people he considers friends and family.
“Winnie Odinga is my friend, Junior is my friend, and Rosemary is my friend
too,” he said. “How can I insult their only mother?”
Babu then spoke warmly about Mama Ida Odinga, describing her as a maternal
figure who has treated him with kindness over the years.
“Mama Ida loves me like her own son, welcomes me home and gives me food
whenever I visit her. I can never insult such a mum,” he said. “She’s been good
to me, and I love her.”
Babu’s statement appears aimed at containing political fallout and
reaffirming his loyalty to the Odinga family, with whom he has long been
associated politically through the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
Aoko has always expressed her admiration for Babu and she backs his bid to
become the next governor of the Nairobi City County in 2027.
