Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has been caught in controversy after it emerged that a photo he shared online to show himself “reflecting in the village” following the burial of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga was taken several years ago.
On Monday, October 20, 2025, the MP posted a picture of himself sitting outside a rural home, holding two books, and claimed that he had gone to his village home in Got Matar for peace and reflection after Raila’s burial.
“Having a me time in the village, Got Matar, to reflect on my life and the lives of my people,” he wrote on his Facebook page.
However, a reverse image search by Kenyans on social media revealed that the same photo had been shared by Babu Owino on December 26, 2020.
The image was also published two days later, on December 28, 2020, in a story by Mpasho News titled “Photos of Babu Owino’s village mansion.”
The old image matches exactly with the one Babu used in his recent post, including his outfit, the books in hand, and the background of the homestead.
This discovery has exposed the legislator for allegedly trying to mislead the public by reusing an old photo to suggest a recent, emotional moment of reflection following Raila’s burial.
Since the death of the former ODM Party Leader Raila Amolo Odinga, Babu Owino has openly tried to position himself as Raila’s political heir in Nyanza.
The youthful MP has been working hard to prove that he is a true Luo, frequently using social media and public appearances to portray himself as deeply connected to Luo culture and Raila’s legacy.
Analysts say Babu has made deliberate efforts to appeal to Raila’s supporters, hoping to inherit his strong political base in the Nyanza region.
His attendance at key mourning events, frequent emotional speeches, and online tributes have been seen as part of a wider attempt to build his influence as the next “Luo Kingpin.”
The latest revelation, however, appears to have dented his image.
Many Kenyans criticised Babu for what they described as a dishonest attempt to manipulate public emotions during a sensitive period of national mourning.
Some accused him of using Raila’s death to score political points instead of showing genuine reflection.
The MP has yet to respond to the backlash. His silence has only fuelled more speculation about his political ambitions and authenticity.