Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has announced his intention to run for the Nairobi governor's seat in the 2027 General Election. He believes his performance as an MP demonstrates his ability to provide practical solutions to challenges facing residents. Babu, who is seeking to succeed Governor Johnson Sakaja, says Nairobi residents are primarily interested in service delivery and that his record shows he can deliver if elected governor.
Babu Owino is expected to seek the governor's seat on The Mwananchi Party (TMP) ticket, having severed ties with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). He argues that Nairobi's cosmopolitan character means voters are unlikely to base their choices solely on ethnic considerations. Instead, candidates' records and manifestos will be important parameters in the election. Babu entered elective politics in 2011 as chairman of the Student Organisation of Nairobi University (SONU), a position he held for four terms.
The two-term legislator says his plan for the capital will focus on longstanding challenges, including water, waste management, sanitation, healthcare, roads, and creating a conducive environment for businesses. He cites his record in Embakasi East as evidence of what he can deliver if given the opportunity to lead the county. Babu made his first attempt at mainstream electoral politics in 2013 when he contested the ODM primary for the Westlands parliamentary seat but lost to the incumbent, Tim Wanyonyi.
In 2017, Babu was elected Embakasi East MP, marking his entry into national elective politics. He retained the seat in the August 2022 General Election. Various research firms and pollsters have assessed his performance in Parliament, ranking him among the top-performing MPs. Babu says his record should be considered when Nairobi residents make their choice in the 2027 election.
On water shortages in Nairobi, Babu proposes increasing the use of available water resources while reducing wastage. He says the city consumes about 950 million litres of water daily against a supply of about 660 million litres, leaving a deficit of approximately 290 million litres. Babu suggests addressing the deficit partly by adding water from Maragua Dam to supplies from Ndakaini Dam, Kikuyu Springs, and Ruiru Dam.
Babu Owino's entry into the Nairobi governor's race is likely to increase competition for the seat. He says his performance in Embakasi East demonstrates his ability to deliver services to residents. With his proposals to address the city's challenges, Babu is confident that Nairobians will choose him as their governor in 2027.
Babu concludes by saying that his record makes him the best candidate for the job. “Number two is good, number one is best. You cannot leave best for good,” he said. With his extensive experience in elective politics and his performance in Parliament, Babu Owino is a contender to watch in the 2027 Nairobi governor's election.
Key points
- Babu Owino cites his record in Embakasi East as evidence of what he can deliver if given the opportunity to lead Nairobi.
- He proposes increasing the use of available water resources while reducing wastage to address water shortages in Nairobi.
- Babu Owino is expected to seek the governor's seat on The Mwananchi Party (TMP) ticket in the 2027 General Election.
