Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has reiterated his intention to contest for the Nairobi County gubernatorial seat in the 2027 elections, promising leadership that he says will surpass that of the incumbent governor Johnson Sakaja.
The MP made his remarks during an interview on Citizen TV on Sunday, where he outlined his criticisms of the current county administration and his vision for Nairobi.
Speaking candidly, Babu Owino accused Governor Sakaja of abandoning his responsibilities and relying excessively on the national government.
“I will be the next governor of Nairobi County. Sakaja handed over his responsibilities to the president. He was simply saying that he is tired, he can’t do this work, help me. An incompetent national government comes in to help an incompetent county government. The governor became a different governor who cannot deliver services. They are saying Nairobi has technical issues, there is nothing technical about Nairobi,” he said.
Owino portrayed his potential administration as a stark contrast to the current leadership, emphasizing his track record of performance and delivery.
“The difference between Sakaja and Babu Owino is that you are looking at a basket of knowledge. The difference is like the ground and the sky. Babu is a performer. Babu has performed at Embakasi East and Babu was ranked as the best MP in terms of performance rating for two consecutive years. It shows you clearly that Babu can deliver and has always delivered from the university,” he added.
The MP also stressed his humble beginnings and his understanding of Nairobi’s diverse challenges, positioning himself as a leader who resonates with ordinary residents.
“We are going there not about beauty but duty. Babu came to Nairobi by bus, and Sakaja came to Nairobi by birth. I want to leave Nairobi a better place for those who came by birth,” he said.
Babu Owino’s comments come amid growing speculation over the 2027 gubernatorial race in Nairobi, which is expected to be highly competitive.
By highlighting his parliamentary achievements and personal journey, Owino seeks to differentiate himself from Sakaja and appeal to voters who value merit and results over political connections.