Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has defended his bid for the Nairobi gubernatorial seat in the 2027 General Election. He cited his constituency track record and legislative ranking as proof of his capacity to manage the capital city. Owino, who is mounting his county campaign under The Mwananchi Party (TMP) within the broader Linda Mwananchi coalition, argued that successful constituency management translates directly into effective county governance.
Owino pointed to his top ranking in the 2026 Infotrak CountyTrak Performance Index, where he secured an 80 percent approval rating to place first among Kenya’s 290 elected MPs. The survey, conducted between January and May 2026 across all 47 counties, evaluated legislators on service delivery, accessibility, responsiveness, and Constituency Development Fund (CDF) utilization. Owino asserted that these recurring high marks demonstrate tested leadership and operational discipline.
Turning his focus to county leadership, Owino sharply criticized previous and current city administrations, accusing sitting Governor Johnson Sakaja of surrendering constitutional mandates to the national government. Owino made specific reference to the KSh 80 billion cooperation framework signed by Sakaja in February 2026, which handed over significant financial and operational control of key county functions to national authorities.
Owino outlined his policy focus for Nairobi, promising targeted interventions in infrastructure, reliable urban water distribution, timely payment of county healthcare workers, and conducive business environments. He emphasized the need for a governor who can effectively manage the city's resources and provide essential services to its residents.
Addressing questions regarding his political appeal and early background, Owino rejected assertions that his candidacy relies on ethnic mobilization. He pointed out that his political base in Embakasi East includes strong support from diverse communities, including a large Kikuyu demographic.
Owino also defended his past tenure as a four-term student leader at the University of London-affiliated institutions, arguing that repeated endorsement by intellectual peers proved his early capacity for public leadership and service delivery. He emphasized that his experience in student leadership has prepared him for the challenges of governing a county.
Owino's candidacy for the Nairobi gubernatorial seat has sparked interest among residents, who are eager to see a change in the city's leadership. With his track record in constituency management and legislative ranking, Owino is confident that he has the skills and experience needed to effectively manage the city.
Key points
- Babu Owino cites his constituency track record and legislative ranking as proof of his capacity to manage Nairobi.
- Owino criticizes Governor Johnson Sakaja for surrendering constitutional mandates to the national government.
- Owino outlines his policy focus for Nairobi, including infrastructure, water distribution, and healthcare.
