BABU POSITIONS HIMSELF AS THE MOST POTENT NAIROBI'S GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has once again taken aim at Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, boldly declaring that none of his potential opponents stands a chance against him in the 2027 gubernatorial contest.

Speaking during a YouTube interview on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, Babu confidently asserted that he would easily clinch the Nairobi Governor’s seat if he decides to run. According to him, not even the current officeholder poses a real challenge.

“As you can see, all the opponents are unworthy to compete against me. The incumbent cannot even win against himself, so we are spoilt for choice,” Babu remarked during the interview.

The outspoken legislator has, on several occasions, publicly dismissed Sakaja’s leadership, accusing him of incompetence, mismanagement, and failure to meet the expectations of Nairobians. Babu has been especially vocal about what he describes as poor service delivery in key areas such as transport, revenue collection, and public safety — issues he believes make the governor vulnerable heading into the next election.

While Babu’s self-assurance may appear ambitious, past and recent opinion polls offer mixed signals. A 2023 poll by the Centre for African Progress showed Babu leading the race with 42% support, compared to Sakaja’s 23%, suggesting he was the favorite at the time.

However, the tide seems to have shifted. A more recent survey by Politrack Africa, conducted in July 2025, places Embakasi North MP James Gakuya in the lead with 40.2%, followed by Babu at 35.1%, and Sakaja trailing far behind at 7.1%. Another poll by Mizani Africa in March 2025 also showed Gakuya ahead of both Babu and Sakaja.

Despite the changing poll numbers, Babu continues to receive support from allies, including Lang’ata MP Felix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang’o and his Mumias East counterpart Peter Salasya. Speaking earlier this month, Jalang’o stated that Babu’s political influence and popularity are strong enough to secure victory, even without the ODM party’s backing.

Still, public opinion remains divided. While some online users express confidence in Babu’s chances — even as an independent candidate — others believe Sakaja could stage a comeback, particularly if he retains support from ODM or party leader Raila Odinga.

More surprisingly, Raila was at some instance caught endorsing the incumbent to progress his gubernatorial position past 2027, while Babu has recently been odd with his ODM boss, following the entrance of ODM into the broad-based government.

As the 2027 race draws nearer, Nairobi’s political landscape is shaping up to be one of the most hotly contested in the country.