- Babu Owino responded to claims that Winnie Odinga's entry into Nairobi senatorial race would affect his gubernatorial ambitions
- The Embakasi East MP cited the example of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Governor Johnson Sakaja, both Luhyas, as precedent
- Former Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru weighed in, casting doubt on Babu's ability to defeat Sakaja in Nairobi
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Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has brushed off fears that Winnie Odinga's reported interest in the Nairobi Senatorial seat could undermine his own bid for the Nairobi governorship in the 2027 General Election.
Source: Facebook
A section of Kenyans had raised concerns that the two politicians, both with roots in the Nyanza region, could split votes and weaken each other's prospects by targeting Nairobi's electorate simultaneously.
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Babu Owino's Take on Winnie Odinga's Ambitions
Addressing the matter directly, Babu said he would not stand in the way of Winnie's political aspirations, citing his loyalty to her father, the late Raila Odinga.
"Regarding Winnie's decision to join Nairobi politics, that I will leave it to you because Raila Odinga was my boss and dad. I will be the last person to fight his daughter just because I must be the governor of Nairobi. She has her dreams and I have my dreams. Let everyone pursue their dreams. It is you who will decide," Babu said.
The MP also pushed back against the notion that having two prominent figures from the same region contest different seats in Nairobi is problematic.
He pointed to the 2022 elections, in which Nairobi voters returned both Edwin Sifuna as Senator and Johnson Sakaja as Governor, both of Luhya heritage from Western Kenya.
"After all, you elected Sifuna as a Luhya and Sakaja also as a Luhya. So you elected two Luhyas as senator and governor. So on this issue I'll leave it to you to decide," he added.
Anne Waiguru Doubts Babu's Chances Against Sakaja
Former Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru offered a contrasting view, questioning whether Babu has the political muscle to unseat Governor Sakaja.
"I doubt Babu can beat Sakaja in Nairobi; you know why? Look at the demographics of Nairobi. I don't think Babu can beat Sakaja, especially after that thing they had with Sifuna. If he understands politics, there would be an impact, even if they say we are still together," Waiguru said.
The remarks allude to a period of public tension between Babu and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, which observers believe could dent ODM's cohesion in the capital heading into the next election cycle.
Earlier, in January, Babu had reacted cautiously when ODM's Nairobi branch endorsed EALA MP Winnie Odinga as the party's fourth deputy party leader following consultations across the city's 17 constituencies.
Nairobi ODM chairperson George Aladwa had indicated that Raila's reduced domestic political presence created a representational gap that Winnie's endorsement was intended to fill.
At the time, Babu, himself tipped to replace Sifuna as ODM Secretary General, warned Winnie against wading into what he described as a "shrinking pond."
Source: TUKO.co.ke
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