Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has declared his intention to contest for Nairobi Governor in 2027, outlining a bold agenda to tackle crime cartels and revamp the city’s waste management system.
Speaking on Inooro FM on Friday morning, Owino promised decisive action against organized groups he said have long operated with impunity in the capital.
“I'll crush cartels. When I win, I will call all cartels to a meeting because they are all known,” Owino said.
He added that these groups would face a clear choice: “Either do the right thing for the people of Nairobi since they get paid for their services, or they will have to leave."
The MP framed his approach as a people-centered strategy, emphasizing accountability for groups operating within the city’s informal sectors.
On waste management, Owino proposed a major shift from the current reliance on the Dandora dumpsite, Nairobi’s largest and most controversial landfill.
He pledged that all garbage collected across the city would be redirected to alternative locations, with a long-term plan to establish processing industries.
“I will ensure all garbage collected is disposed of to areas alternative to Dandora. I will ensure I open industries where the garbage will be processed to produce fertilizer,” he said. The plan, if implemented, could create jobs while addressing Nairobi’s persistent waste challenges.
Owino also weighed in on the political debate surrounding Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment, insisting he played no role in any attempt to remove him from office.
“I did not vote out Gachagua to be impeached. I couldn't do that. Gachagua fought for this regime and they got power. There is no way I could have voted him out,” he said, positioning himself as a principled legislator who respects political alliances.
The MP’s comments highlight a campaign that combines law enforcement, environmental reform, and strategic political positioning.
As Nairobians begin to consider potential candidates for the 2027 gubernatorial race, Owino’s proposals signal a mix of tough governance promises and practical urban planning interventions aimed at reshaping the capital’s management landscape.