Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has revealed that he may not seek the Nairobi governorship on an ODM ticket in 2027, while dismissing claims of a fallout between him and the party’s Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna.
Mr Owino is among politicians considered rebels within ODM and, together with Mr Sifuna, is associated with the Linda Mwananchi faction.
The second term legislator said he has endured significant political struggles within ODM and is now focused on building his political career, with his sights set on the Nairobi governorship in 2027 and the presidency in 2032.
“I have done my calculations and I am now focused on building my political future. I cannot sacrifice my political dream for the interests of a party that does not want me and has treated me unfairly,” Mr Owino said during an interview with Namlolwe FM.
At one point, Mr Owino was widely seen as the face of rebellion within ODM at the national level. However, the rise of Mr Sifuna's political profile appears to have overshadowed him and diminished his prominence within the opposition party.
“Sifuna is pursuing the presidency while I am running for the Nairobi governorship. There is no conflict between us. Each of us is pursuing our own dream and working to achieve it,” he said.
“I began my political journey while at university. We support Sifuna because of the challenges he has faced within the party. If you look at the major political rally organised by the Linda Mwananchi movement in Kisumu, I was the one who organised it and mobilised the crowds,” he added.
The legislator explained that his troubles within ODM began in 2017 when he sought the Embakasi East parliamentary seat for the first time. He claimed that some politicians attempted to deny him the party ticket but failed.
Mr Owino won the ODM nomination in 2017 after defeating the then incumbent, Joseph Oguttu.
“I have struggled a lot within this party. In 2017, I had to threaten to cause chaos at Orange House before I was issued with the party ticket. I was the only ODM candidate seeking a parliamentary seat in Nairobi who was not publicly endorsed by the party, while other candidates received full support,” he said.
He recalled that even after successfully campaigning and winning the seat, his election victory was nullified, forcing him to fight a lengthy legal battle on his own in court.
Regarding the 2022 elections, Mr Owino claimed that a group of politicians again attempted to frustrate his ambitions but eventually realised his popularity was too strong to ignore. He said he was handed the ODM ticket just two days before the party primaries were scheduled to take place.
On Nairobi politics, Mr Owino said he has carefully assessed the political landscape and believes Governor Johnson Sakaja will not defeat him in the 2027 gubernatorial race.
“I contested against Francis Mureithi and received support from the Mt Kenya community in Embakasi East. Mike Sonko was elected governor yet Ferdinand Waititu was not embraced despite coming from Mount Kenya. I believe the same community will support me as well.
“Sakaja contested against Polycarp Igathe and still received strong backing from the Mt Kenya community. In Nairobi, one must seek support from all communities. That is why I cannot allow myself to be limited by a political party,” he said.
The MP insisted that his political calculations give him confidence that he can win the governorship.
“I am certain that if I returned to Embakasi East, I would retain my parliamentary seat. If I was not confident of winning the governorship, I would simply seek re-election as an MP,” he said.
Mr Owino also admitted that his relationship with ODM leader Dr Oburu Oginga has deteriorated, accusing the veteran politician of refusing to convene a delegates’ conference where party elections would have been conducted.
Mr Owino has been eyeing the ODM leadership position following the death of Raila Odinga in October last year.
“I regard Dr Oburu as my grandfather and I cannot fight him. However, I believe no one in ODM’s leadership is politically stronger than me. Despite the sacrifices I have made for the party, I have never been recognised or rewarded,” he said.
“As a young politician, I must chart my own path. I cannot abandon my ambitions simply to conform to the party position. I will run for Nairobi governor in 2027 and seek the presidency in 2032.”
Within the opposition, Mr Owino still faces significant political hurdles due to the growing cooperation between Wiper and DCP, which have agreed to share elective positions in Nairobi in 2027.
Last December, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua announced that DCP would field candidates for governor, senator and woman representative in Nairobi County.
However, DCP and Wiper are expected to assess their respective political strengths before deciding how to distribute candidates across Nairobi’s 17 constituencies and 85 ward seats.
A further challenge for Mr Owino is that DCP appears to favour Embakasi North MP James Gakuya as its preferred candidate for the Nairobi governorship.
Mr Gakuya, a close ally of Mr Gachagua, has represented Embakasi North Constituency since 2013.
