Babu Owino’s latest attempt to portray himself as deeply rooted in Luo culture has backfired badly, exposing a growing credibility problem that could haunt his political future.
On October 20, 2025, he shared what he called a personal reflection moment at his home in Got Matar village, Siaya County.
The post, showing him seated outside a brightly painted orange house, appeared to paint the image of a humble son of the soil reconnecting with his people.
But it didn’t take long for Kenyans to notice something was off. The photo wasn’t new. It was first shared in 2020, meaning the Embakasi East MP was recycling old content to pass it off as current, seemingly to prove his Luo roots at a time when such identity matters have become politically sensitive.
For someone who has always branded himself as a smart and outspoken youth leader, this move looked desperate. The image, featuring Babu on a blue chair with two books, “Strategy” and “The New Machiavelli,” behind an orange house, was easily traceable online.
Records show it was used by various blogs and social media pages years ago, celebrating his supposed “village mansion.” Reusing that same image without acknowledging its age was misleading, especially as he tried to project a narrative of being in the village to reflect on his people’s struggles after Raila Odinga’s death.
It felt like a calculated move to fill a leadership vacuum in Luo politics but it also revealed a politician willing to manipulate perception to fit his ambitions.
The backlash online has been intense. Many Kenyans pointed out that Babu has been under scrutiny for years regarding his background.
Some Luo community members openly question whether he genuinely hails from Siaya, citing inconsistencies in his family history. Others mock his efforts as an attempt to overcompensate for doubts about his heritage.
For a man who built his image as a fearless defender of truth and youth empowerment, this kind of deception cuts deep. Politics in Kenya runs on trust, and once that’s lost, even charisma and eloquence can’t fix it.
Babu’s silence on the matter only makes things worse. In previous controversies, he was quick to defend himself or spin a story. This time, his decision to remain quiet gives the impression of guilt. By pretending to be in the village, he’s not just lying about a photo, he’s trying to rewrite his connection to the people he claims to represent.
That shows manipulation rather than leadership. In Luo culture, home and lineage are sacred. You don’t fake belonging it’s either in you or not.
Reposting an old picture as proof of identity insults that value and makes him look disconnected from the culture he claims to protect.
At a time when the Nyanza region is searching for a new political voice, Babu seems to be playing image politics instead of building genuine trust. The recycled photo might have been a small stunt, but it reveals a larger problem: a leader more focused on optics than authenticity.
His past story of rising from poverty to Parliament inspired many, but actions like these undo that narrative. They paint him as someone who’s willing to deceive to stay relevant. If Babu hopes to rise beyond Embakasi and claim national influence, he must understand that no amount of staged photos can replace real connection with the people.
Trust, once broken, rarely returns. In this case, Babu Owino’s attempt to fake a moment of humility has instead exposed his growing arrogance and insecurity, reminding Kenyans that leadership isn’t about image it’s about truth.
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