Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has declared that he will resign as Nairobi governor if he fails to deliver on his promises within his first two years in office. Owino, who is seeking to unseat incumbent Governor Johnson Sakaja in the 2027 General Election, made the commitment during an interview with K24. He expressed confidence in his ability to manage the city's administration, citing his successful leadership record in Embakasi East Constituency.
Owino promised to bring significant change to Nairobi within his first year, emphasizing that his experience in Embakasi East demonstrates his capability to handle a bigger administrative responsibility. He dismissed the possibility of waiting for the Nairobi County Assembly to initiate impeachment proceedings if he fails to meet the expectations of residents. Instead, he vowed to take proactive steps and resign if he is not making progress.
The legislator attributed his confidence to his development-oriented leadership style, which he believes will enable him to prioritize service delivery and improve the lives of Nairobi residents. Owino stated that he will work to dismantle cartels allegedly controlling key sectors of Nairobi's economy, including garbage collection, water supply, and road construction. He argued that governors who fail to confront cartels often do so because they are part of the networks benefiting from the alleged corruption.
Owino issued a warning to individuals involved in the alleged cartels, declaring that his administration would not accommodate them. He stated that companies awarded county contracts will be required to deliver the work as stipulated, and that procurement regulations will be enforced. Owino's bold stance has positioned him as a key contender in the race for the Nairobi gubernatorial seat.
The race for the Nairobi gubernatorial seat ahead of the August 2027 General Election is attracting several political heavyweights. Incumbent Governor Johnson Sakaja faces potential challengers from across the political divide, including Embakasi North MP James Gakuya, Kasarani MP Ronald Karauri, Makadara MP George Aladwa, and Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku. Owino's confidence in his ability to win the contest is rooted in his development-oriented leadership style.
Owino dismissed the possibility of stepping aside in favor of another Opposition candidate to avoid splitting votes. He expressed confidence in his ability to beat his competitors at the ballot, stating that Nairobi voters will ultimately determine the outcome. Owino attributed his confidence to his successful leadership record in Embakasi East and his commitment to prioritizing service delivery.
The Nairobi gubernatorial seat is one of the most closely watched contests in the 2027 General Election. With several prominent politicians vying for the seat, the competition is expected to be fierce. Owino's vow to resign if he fails to deliver on his promises has added a new layer of accountability to the campaign, and voters will be watching closely to see if he can live up to his commitments.
Key points
- Babu Owino promises to resign as Nairobi governor if he fails to deliver on his promises within two years.
- Owino vows to dismantle cartels allegedly controlling key sectors of Nairobi's economy.
- The legislator expresses confidence in his ability to win the contest, citing his development-oriented leadership style.
