Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has once again become the center of social media speculation, with a section of Kenyans questioning his ethnic background and claiming he may have Indian ancestry.
However, his family in Siaya County has come out strongly to dismiss the rumors, calling them false, misleading, and disrespectful.
Speaking from Ogare village in Got Matar, Bondo, Babu’s relatives insisted that the legislator, whose real name is Paul Ongili Owino, is Luo by birth and upbringing.
“Babu is our son. He was born and raised here in Ogare. After his father passed away, his mother took him to Kisumu to continue with school. People saying he’s Indian are spreading lies. He is Luo,” said his aunt Angeline Osanya.
Osanya explained that the confusion may have arisen due to Babu’s light complexion, which some have mistaken for Asian features.
According to her, Babu inherited his skin tone from his late father, Dominic Owino, and his grandmother, Christine Sewe, both of whom were also light-skinned.
“It runs in our family. His father’s complexion made people think he was from the Coast or even Arab. The same applies to Babu,” she added.
The family urged those spreading the false claims to visit their home and confirm the truth for themselves.
“Anyone with doubts can come here and see photos of his late father and grandfather, Pang Wuon Awuoro. They will understand where the resemblance comes from,” Osanya said.
Locals in Got Matar also backed the family’s statement, recalling Babu’s early life and schooling in the village.
One villager, Harun Awuondo, said he studied with Babu at Got Matar Primary School in 1994 before he later transferred to Kisumu.
The school’s current head teacher, Kemwel Fida, confirmed that records still show Babu’s enrollment under the name Paul Ongili Owino.
Residents described him as bright, confident, and outspoken, noting that his strong personality and leadership traits were visible even in his childhood.
The family has termed the ongoing rumors as an attempt to distract from Babu’s political work and community service.
“People should focus on his contribution to the youth and education instead of spreading baseless rumors,” Osanya concluded.
In Siaya, Babu Owino remains celebrated not only as a national leader but also as a son of Yimbo — a man proud of his roots and heritage.
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