Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has maintained that he is not interested in his recent appointment by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.
On Friday, October 21, the Registrar of Political Parties Ann Nderitu gazetted Babu Owino's name as the party's new Secretary for Science and Technology.
Speaking exclusively to Kenyans.co.ke on Sunday, October 23, the lawmaker maintained that he was not interested in the position.
While turning down the position, the lawmaker, whose formal name is Paul Ongili, noted that he made clear to the party his interest to serve as the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Chairperson at the National Assembly.
"There is nothing like that and I am not interested in such a position. I have not been told anything. Can you be given a position in your absence?
"I already expressed my interest as Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Chairman. That is what I wanted. I do not know whatever they are proposing to give me. I don't know what is there to be invented in ODM," he stated.
He was also yet to be formally informed of the appointment by the Raila Odinga-led party by the time of publishing this story.
In September 2022, the lawmaker described himself as a 'wounded ODM soldier' after learning that he had been overlooked for the plum PAC Chairperson job.
In the role, Owino would have spearheaded the scrutiny of the government's financial spending and ensure accountability as well as transparency within the state.
At the time, Owino noted that he had received 99 per cent support from Azimio la Umoja One Kenya MPs to serve as PAC Chairperson but later received a call from a senior ODM party official asking him to step down for the Nominated MP John Mbadi.
Gazette Notice
Owino was named as the Secretary for Science and Technology, a position previously held by politician Steve Mbogo.
Four other lawmakers were appointed to party positions including Kwale Woman MP Zulekha Juma Hassan who rose to become the Party Deputy Secretary General while Kilifi South MP Ken Chonga ascended to the position of Deputy Party Organising Secretary General.
Individuals aggrieved by the changes were invited to make submissions to the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) within seven days.
"Any person with written submissions concerning the intended changes by the political party shall within seven (7) days from the date of this publication make their written submissions to the Registrar of Political Parties," read the statement in part.
