Embakasi East MP Babu Owino addressed a range of topics in a recent interview, including claims of a fallout between him and the partys Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna.
During an interview with Namlolwe FM, the firebrand lawmaker also spoke about his political ambitions and his relationship with ODM leader Dr Oburu Oginga. The second-term legislator indicated he may not seek the Nairobi governorship on an ODM ticket in 2027, citing frustrations within the party.
“I have done my calculations, and I am now focused on building my political future. I cannot sacrifice my political dream for the interests of a party that does not want me and has treated me unfairly,” he said.
The former University of Nairobi student leader traced his struggles within ODM to 2017, when he first vied for the Embakasi East parliamentary seat.
“I have struggled a lot within this party. In 2017, I had to threaten to cause chaos at Orange House before I was issued with the party ticket. I was the only ODM candidate seeking a parliamentary seat in Nairobi who was not publicly endorsed by the party, while other candidates received full support,” he said.
He recalled how, even after a successful campaign and an outright victory, his election win was nullified, forcing him to weather a grueling, isolated legal battle in court just to claim his seat.
History nearly repeated itself in the lead-up to the 2022 elections. Owino claimed that a faction of politicians tried to derail his ambitions once again, only to back down when they realized his immense popularity on the ground was simply too powerful to suppress. In a dramatic twist, the ODM party handed him his nomination ticket a mere two days before the scheduled primaries.
Babu Owino further denied reports of a fallout with Nairobi Senator Sifuna, saying they both have different political ambitions.
“Sifuna is pursuing the presidency while I am running for the Nairobi governorship. There is no conflict between us. Each of us is pursuing our own dream and working to achieve it,” he said.
“I began my political journey while at university. We support Sifuna because of the challenges he has faced within the party. If you look at the major political rally organised by the Linda Mwananchi movement in Kisumu, I was the one who organised it and mobilised the crowds,” he added.
Babu Owino is confident that he can beat incumbent Nairobi Governor Saakaja in the 2027 polls.
“I contested against Francis Mureithi and received support from the Mt Kenya community in Embakasi East. Mike Sonko was elected governor yet Ferdinand Waititu was not embraced despite coming from Mount Kenya. I believe the same community will support me as well.
“Sakaja contested against Polycarp Igathe and still received strong backing from the Mt Kenya community. In Nairobi, one must seek support from all communities. That is why I cannot allow myself to be limited by a political party,” he said.
The MP maintains that strategic math and political forecasting back up his confidence. He made it clear that he has no intention of playing it safe; if he lacked the momentum to capture City Hall, he would easily cruise to another term in his current constituency.
“I am certain that if I returned to Embakasi East, I would retain my parliamentary seat. If I was not confident of winning the governorship, I would simply seek re-election as an MP,” he said.
Owino also said his relationship with ODM leader Dr Oburu Oginga has deteriorated. He accused the veteran politician of refusing to convene a delegates conference where party elections would have been held.
Owino, who has been positioning himself for the ODM leadership role after the death of Raila Odinga in October last year, said he views Dr Oburu as someone he cannot confront. Still, he said he believes he remains the strongest political figure within the partys leadership.
“I regard Dr Oburu as my grandfather, and I cannot fight him. However, I believe no one in ODMs leadership is politically stronger than me. Despite the sacrifices I have made for the party, I have never been recognized or rewarded,” he said.
Owino added that, as a young politician, he intends to pursue his own direction rather than stay in line with what he described as the party position.
“As a young politician, I must chart my own path. I cannot abandon my ambitions simply to conform to the party position. I will run for Nairobi governor in 2027 and seek the presidency in 2032.”
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