Possible political horse-trading and negotiations in coalition-building are at the heart of Embakasi East MP Babu Owino’s decision to run on his party's ticket for Nairobi governor.
This comes as the battle to control Nairobi politics is shaping up to be perhaps the most delicate and fiercest contest that is expected to force major compromises within the opposition.
The Nairobi Governor seat, for instance, is likely to be settled through negotiations among partner parties, just like in 2022 when the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ceded ground for Jubilee Party to front Polycarp Igathe.
The deal was part of a give-and-take after Jubilee backed ODM’s Raila Odinga for the presidency. Westlands MP Timothy Wanyonyi, who was seeking the governorship on ODM, was consequently forced to drop his bid for the county top seat.
Fears of a similar scenario playing out in the 2027 polls have been cited as the major reason in Mr Owino’s decision to run on his own party. This is in addition to controlling the County Assembly.
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino addresses journalists outside the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters in Nairobi on August 18, 2026.
Photo credit: Lucy Wanjiru | Nation Media Group
Mr Owino has made it clear that he will run on his The Mwananchi Party (TMP), despite major intervention and lobbying to have him team up with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna under one election vehicle.
In a recent press briefing, Mr Owino explained his reasons for insisting on having his own outfit. He cited the desire to have his MCAs at the City Hall for protection from a possible impeachment.
The MP said former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza suffered impeachment because she did not have a party of her own. Ms Mwangaza was elected as governor on an independent ticket.
“Rigathi Gachagua and Kawira Mwangaza were impeached because of a lack of Members of Parliament and party support, respectively. Mwangaza told me not to compromise on the deputy governor and having MCAs. The best way to deliver is when you have your MCAs in Nairobi, and that is how you can finish cartels,” said Mr Owino.
“I have made a decision that we have one political party, but if it can’t happen, then we should have a coalition because it is coalitions which have won elections in this country.”
Within the Opposition broader opposition, Mr Owino and Embakasi North MP James Gakuya have declared interest for the governorship. Mr Gakuya is a member of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua .
Other partner parties in the opposition that are likely to claim a stake in Nairobi’s political cake include Wiper Patriotic Front of Kalonzo Musyoka , Jubilee Party and People’s Party of Kenya of Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro.
The parties have committed to settle on a single presidential candidate to face off with President William Ruto .
Observers believe that the presidential ticket will have a bearing on the sharing of other plum positions, including the Nairobi governor’s seat.
Should Mr Sifuna become the opposition’s flagbearer or running mate, it would be unlikely for his Linda Mwananchi, to produce a candidate for Nairobi governor.
Embakasi Central MP Benjamin Gathiru alias Mejjadonk said the presidential ticket is likely to be a big factor in negotiations on the other seats, suggesting that parties in the State House race will have to forego some county seats to accommodate the interests of other partners.
“We will agree on which party to field in which electoral areas. Some of the decisions will be influenced by the presidential ticket, because we don’t expect a party that will produce our presidential flagbearer to demand the governor position,” said Mr Gathiru.
“But seats currently held by Jubilee and UDA now belong to DCP,” he added. Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan, Amos Mwago (Starehe) and Mark Mwenje (Embakasi West) – all elected on the Jubilee Party – have defected to DCP. Mr Gachagua, the party leader, has also previously said DCP will go for a majority of Nairobi seats.
Linda Mwanachi has, however, also laid claim to the governor seat and all parliamentary seats currently held by ODM.
The movement, through its spokesperson and Suba South MP Caroli Omondi, said they are, however, open to negotiations for the other county seats of deputy governor, woman representative and senator.
“All elective seats in Nairobi currently held by ODM will from now on be reserved for Linda Mwananchi in the 2027 General Election,” said Mr Omondi.
ODM won eight parliamentary seats and 36 MCAs in the 2022 polls. The constituencies currently held by ODM include Dagoretti North, Embakasi East, Kibra, Lang'ata, Makadara, Westlands, Ruaraka and Mathare.
“That Linda Mwananchi will agree with DCP, Wiper and Jubilee on the joint strategy for electing a qualified Senator, Deputy Governor and Women Representative for Nairobi County. Linda Mwananchi will support DCP, Wiper and Jubilee Candidates for the other elective seats in Nairobi,” said the MP.
Leaders of Kenyan opposition movement Linda Mwananchi Edwin Sifuna, James Orengo and Babu Owino ride on a caravan ahead of a rally in preparation for 2027 General Elections in Nairobi, Kenya September 13, 2026.
Photo credit: Thomas Mukoya | Reuters
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale said there was no dissenting voice on that proposal to front Sifuna for the top seat during the movement’s recent retreat.
He, however, admitted that both Mr Owino and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya insisted on running on their respective parties. Mr Natembeya has been pushing Mr Sifuna to run on the United Democratic Party.
“There has been an attempt behind the scenes for people to push for their own political party to represent the entire movement,” said Mr Khalwale.
He added, “At our retreat, Babu said that he was being misunderstood. Because eventually that meeting allowed him to defend his party, and we respect that.”
He said that the retreat allowed the two leaders to go on with their plans of running on their political outfits, but will work as a team under a coalition.
"The most like-minded parties that we would start with would be Babu's party, Natembeya's party, and then we talk about coalition. Therefore, they would still be part of our team but now as our coalition," he said.
