- Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru questioned Babu Owino's prospects of winning the Nairobi governorship in 2027
- Waiguru pointed to Nairobi's cosmopolitan voter demographics as a key factor working against Babu Owino's ambitions
- The Kirinyaga governor also flagged the political fallout between Babu Owino and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as a potential liability
Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over four years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Nairobi - Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has expressed scepticism over the chances of Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino winning the Nairobi governorship in 2027, citing the city's demographic complexity and a public dispute between Babu Owino and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
Source: Facebook
Waiguru made the remarks during a television interview on Sunday, October 18, 2026, raising questions about assumptions underpinning Babu Owino's gubernatorial ambitions against incumbent Governor Johnson Sakaja.
Nairobi's demographics a challenge for Babu Owino
The Kirinyaga governor argued that Nairobi's cosmopolitan character, shaped by communities with distinct political loyalties and voting histories, makes it unreliable to assume that visible support in parts of the city will translate into a general election victory.
"I doubt it. You know why? You're assuming. Look at the demographics of Nairobi. Where are the numbers? And that's how they've been voting," Waiguru said.
She also cautioned against treating Generation Z as a politically uniform bloc, drawing a distinction between young voters who are deeply policy-conscious and those who are less engaged with governance detail.
"There are two types of Gen Zs. The Gen Zs that drove the resistance, so to speak, were mostly educated, right? Probably university students, informed, very well informed," she said, adding that this cohort scrutinises legislation such as finance bills before forming political opinions, even without broadcasting those views on social media.
These people go through finance bills; even nowadays we have to think twice before we say anything, you know?" Waiguru posed
Sifuna fallout could hurt Babu Owino's support base
Beyond demographics, Waiguru identified the reported rift between Babu Owino and Senator Sifuna as a separate concern, arguing that political disagreements leave a lasting impression on supporters that public assurances of unity rarely undo.
She suggested that even if the two leaders subsequently declared they remained aligned, the damage to voter perception could already be done.
"So unfortunately, I don't think Babu, and especially after that thing they had with Sifuna, understands politics; there would be an impact, even if they say, 'Oh, we're still together,' you know," the governor said.
Waiguru's remarks position her as one of the more prominent voices raising early doubts about the opposition's strategy ahead of the 2027 General Election, at a time when various political actors are beginning to test alliances and electoral prospects across the country.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
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