Embakasi East MP Babu Owino on Tuesday urged the opposition to spend more time strategising instead of concentrating on political rallies, while dismissing reports of political differences between him and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
Mr Owino also announced that he would not attend all Linda Mwananchi rallies as he shifts his focus to his campaign for the Nairobi governorship.
“I want to advise those who are in opposition that we need to spend more time strategising, getting tact, rather than campaigning in all these rallies. Baba (Raila Odinga) did all these, and I went with him to 280 constituencies out of 290 constituencies, but looked at where we landed. He was never sworn in, somebody who was much loved,” said Mr Owino.
The second-term ODM legislator said he would support Mr Sifuna’s presidential bid, but indicated that he would soon devote more time and energy to his own gubernatorial campaign.
Linda Mwananchi leaders now prioritise individual interests ahead of 2027 elections
“Sifuna is our presidential candidate, Linda Mwananchi, and that is very clear. There is no way I can fight Sifuna because I want to be Governor and he wants to be President. Don’t bring tension where there is none,” added Mr Owino.
He said he would attend some Linda Mwananchi rallies but skip others depending on his programme as he traverses all 85 wards in Nairobi to popularise his bid.
“I will attend some and may not attend some because of the programmes I will be having in Nairobi. I’m the one who is going to deliver it to Nairobians because they also know the work I have done in Embakasi East constituency,” he added.
Mr Owino said he was a development-oriented leader and pointed to his ranking among the best-performing MPs representing a constituency that is the third most populous in Nairobi County.
Embakasi East Constituency MP Babu Owino speaks at Sarova Stanley during the Linda Mwananchi forum reviewing the broad-based government’s 10-point agenda report on March 11, 2026.
Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation Media Group
Mr Owino, Mr Sifuna, Siaya Governor James Orengo, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi and Suba South MP Caroli Omondi have been holding joint Linda Mwananchi rallies following their departure from ODM.
However, a simmering rivalry has emerged between the Mr Owino and Mr Sifuna camps over who wields greater influence in the breakaway political outfit.
At the Jacaranda rally, questions were raised over protocol after Mr Owino invited Mr Sifuna to speak first, followed by other “junior” leaders, though ordinarily he would have spoken last and crowned the meeting.
The organisation and management of the rallies also raised questions over who was in charge, with some of Mr Owino’s supporters later taking to social media to claim that the youthful legislator had been belittled.
There has also been tension between the Mr Orengo and Mr Sifuna camps after the Siaya governor declared his intention to seek the presidency. The announcement raised concerns among Mr Sifuna’s allies, who accused Mr Orengo of being a “spoiler”.
Kabuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga, an ally of Mr Sifuna, attacked Mr Orengo, saying they would not allow the Nairobi senator’s presidential bid to be hijacked by other senior leaders.
Mr Owino also gave an account of a series of events and behind-the-scenes meetings through which they attempted to register Linda Mwananchi and sponsored the registration of other political parties. However, the leaders are yet to agree on a single political vehicle to use in the 2027 General Election.
Opposition leaders from left; Kisii County Senator Richard Onyonka, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Jubilee Deputy Party Leader Dr. Fred Matiang'i, Siaya Governor James Orengo and Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino after emerging from a private, closed-door session at Hermosa Hotel in Karen on September 10, 2026.
Photo credit: Billy Ogada | Nation
The former University of Nairobi student leader said the opposition’s best chance of defeating President William Ruto in 2027 was for all its principals to agree on a joint presidential candidate.
Mr Owino’s decision to support Mr Sifuna appears to weaken Mr Orengo’s presidential bid, coming after East Asembo MCA Gordon Onguru, an ally of the Siaya governor, left Linda Mwananchi and rejoined ODM.
Suba South MP Caroli Omondi, who comes from Mr Orengo’s Nyanza backyard, has also publicly declared his support for Mr Sifuna’s presidential bid.
