Embakasi East lawmaker Babu Owino has defended his bid for the Nairobi governorship, citing his performance in managing his constituency as evidence of his ability to effectively run the capital. Owino, who is seeking to become Nairobi Governor in the 2027 General Election under The Mwananchi Party (TMP), said managing a constituency and running a county both require effective leadership and service delivery. He pointed to his ranking as Kenya's top-performing Member of Parliament in the 2026 Infotrak CountyTrak Performance Index.
Owino's ranking in the July survey was based on a nationwide assessment conducted between January and May 2026, which covered all 47 counties and assessed elected leaders using indicators including public service delivery, accessibility, responsiveness, and fulfilment of leadership expectations. He said the ranking was evidence that he had been tested in public office and could therefore be entrusted with the larger responsibility of running Nairobi County. Owino also cited his performance in Embakasi East as evidence of his ability to deliver services.
The Embakasi East MP criticised past Nairobi Governors, accusing them of failing to discharge their responsibilities and relying on the national government to address issues falling under the county administration. He singled out former Governor Mike Sonko, saying he was the only Nairobi County chief who was not given an opportunity to complete his tenure. Owino argued that a Governor who repeatedly transfers responsibility for county functions to the national government demonstrates an inability to run the county.
Owino's comments appear to be a dig at sitting county boss Johnson Sakaja, who in February signed a Ksh.80 billion cooperation framework with the national government, assuming financial and operational responsibility for a sweeping set of functions that have long been constitutionally vested in Nairobi County. Owino said his proposed administration would focus on service delivery in areas including roads, water, healthcare, business, and employment. He expressed confidence in his ability to deliver services, citing his record in Embakasi East.
Owino also defended his political appeal in Nairobi, arguing that his support in Embakasi East cuts across ethnic lines despite the constituency having a large Kikuyu population. He said Nairobi residents from different communities would support a leader based on their ability to deliver services rather than their ethnicity. Owino further defended his leadership record by citing his time as a student leader, saying he was elected to four terms while at the university.
Owino's repeated election by university students demonstrated that he had been tested as a leader before entering elective politics. He dismissed criticism of his past behaviour, saying he was elected for a period of four terms and that university students are intellectuals who would not elect a rogue leader. Owino has in recent weeks stepped up his preparations for the Nairobi gubernatorial contest, unveiling his own The Mwananchi Party (TMP) as the political vehicle he intends to use in the 2027 election.
Owino is among the leaders positioning themselves for the Nairobi governorship ahead of the 2027 General Election, with the race expected to attract several candidates seeking to succeed Governor Johnson Sakaja. He expressed confidence in his ability to deliver services to Nairobi residents, saying "Can Babu Owino deliver that service? Yes. Can Babu Owino construct the road that we want? Yes. Can Babu Owino give us water? Yes."
Key points
- Babu Owino cites his record as MP in Embakasi East as evidence of his ability to run Nairobi.
- Owino criticises past Nairobi Governors for failing to discharge their responsibilities.
- Owino defends his bid for the Nairobi governorship, citing his leadership record and ability to deliver services.
