Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has announced his bid for the Nairobi governorship, declaring his intention to build a party capable of controlling City Hall after the 2027 election. His vehicle, The Mwananchi Party, aims to create a coordinated political network in Nairobi. However, his break up with ODM and emergent issues within Linda Mwananchi threaten to complicate that strategy. A governor needs the support of MCAs to effectively run the county, as seen in the impeachment cases of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and ex-Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza.
Babu's approach faces growing competition for Nairobi's 85 MCA seats and 17 parliamentary constituencies. DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua has announced an aggressive campaign to expand his party's presence in the capital, with Embakasi North MP James Gakuya among those seeking the party's gubernatorial ticket. Gachagua's party analysis shows DCP could win 62 of Nairobi's 85 MCA seats and a majority of the city's parliamentary seats. This puts Babu in a contest that goes beyond his direct battle with Governor Johnson Sakaja, who is backed by UDA and ODM.
Political analyst Herman Manyora has argued that Babu and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna need each other politically, particularly in Nairobi. Despite building the Linda Mwananchi movement together, there have been signs of differences within the camp, with each of them now having their own party. Manyora notes that the two will ultimately need each other in city politics. Babu has maintained his Nairobi gubernatorial ambitions while supporting Sifuna's national ambitions. Siaya Governor James Orengo, part of the outfit, has also expressed presidential ambitions.
The fragmentation of Linda Mwananchi could affect Babu's effort to build a coordinated political network in Nairobi, particularly if its constituent parties field competing candidates for MCAs and governor. Babu's other problem is his relationship with ODM, the party on which he was elected to Parliament twice, rising to the inner circle of Raila Odinga. He has since broken away and is seeking the governor's seat through his own political vehicle.
ODM currently has the largest number of the city's parliamentary seats, in addition to the Senate and Women Representative positions. Its partner in the broad-based arrangement UDA controls the governor's office and four parliamentary seats. Lang'ata MP Phelix Odiwuor aka Jalang'o, has argued that despite the emergence of Linda Mwananchi and other political formations, ODM structures remain influential in Nairobi.
Jalang'o maintained Nairobi voters remain largely aligned to established political formations, particularly ODM, which continues to command strong support in key constituencies. Babu is therefore running against an incumbent who has access to the structures of the county government, UDA and ODN network, as well as Gakuya and the expanding DCP network. This complex landscape will require Babu to build strategic alliances to achieve his goal.
Babu's bid for the Nairobi governorship will be a significant test of his alliances and numbers. With 302 days, 15 hours, and 8 minutes to the 2027 election, Babu must navigate the complex landscape of Nairobi politics to achieve his goal. His success will depend on his ability to build a strong political base in the Nairobi County Assembly and form strategic alliances with other political formations.
Key points
- Babu Owino faces competition from DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua and Governor Johnson Sakaja in his bid for the Nairobi governorship.
- The fragmentation of Linda Mwananchi could affect Babu's effort to build a coordinated political network in Nairobi.
- ODM structures remain influential in Nairobi, posing a challenge to Babu's ambitions.
