Babu Owino backs Sifuna for President, shifts focus to Nairobi governor race

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has reaffirmed his support for Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s 2027 presidential bid while announcing that he will scale back his participation in some Linda Mwananchi rallies to concentrate on his campaign for Nairobi governor.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, September 15, Owino dismissed reports of a fallout between him and Sifuna, insisting there was no conflict between their political ambitions because they are seeking different positions. His declaration comes amid reports of internal tensions within Linda Mwananchi, including disagreements over the political vehicle the movement should use in the 2027 elections.

“I want to tell you Kenyans that, as Babu Owino, I’m supporting Sifuna for President 100 per cent,” he said.

Owino said his relationship with Sifuna had developed during a difficult period within ODM, claiming he stood by the then secretary-general when Sifuna faced possible disciplinary action in the party. He said he advised Sifuna against travelling to Mombasa for an ODM meeting and later helped organise a rally in Kitengela after Sifuna's suspension.

The Embakasi East legislator cited his participation in Linda Mwananchi activities outside Nairobi as evidence that he had consistently backed Sifuna rather than merely pursuing his own political interests.

He said he had travelled with Sifuna to areas including Kisumu, Meru, Bungoma, Mombasa and Trans Nzoia despite the fact that his own electoral ambitions are centred on Nairobi.

Owino also rejected suggestions that he was jealous of Sifuna, saying their political ambitions did not clash.

“Babu Owino is vying for Governor of Nairobi County. Sifuna is vying for President. Now there is no conflicting interest,” he said.

The comments were also reported by Citizen Digital, Nation and The Star following Tuesday's briefing.

Babu reveals he has own political party

Owino also disclosed that he has secured his own political party, saying the process began before the formation of Linda Mwananchi.

He traced his decision to seek a separate political vehicle to a February 2025 meeting at Bomas of Kenya, where he said he became convinced that ODM would not support his ambition to become Nairobi governor.

Owino claimed he made three unsuccessful attempts to register a party before succeeding on his fourth attempt earlier this year. He alleged, without providing evidence during the briefing, that the government had interfered with the earlier registration efforts.

The MP said Linda Mwananchi subsequently began discussions about securing a political vehicle for the movement and that several leaders had parties at various stages of registration.

He said disagreements over which party should be used should not be interpreted as evidence of a personal dispute with Sifuna.

Owino indicated that he would prefer Linda Mwananchi to operate under one political party, but said a coalition remained an alternative if agreement on a single vehicle could not be reached.

‘Opposition must unite to win 2027’

Beyond his relationship with Sifuna, Owino used the press conference to call for a broad opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 General Election.

He argued that Kenyan presidential contests have historically involved coalitions bringing together multiple political parties and interests.

“If the larger opposition does not come together, then we will not win these elections,” Owino said.

He called for engagement with other opposition figures and stakeholders rather than excluding potential allies, arguing that political mobilisation should be based on addition rather than division.

“In politics there’s only multiplication and addition. There is no division and there’s no subtraction. Do not chase anybody away,” he said.

The remarks come as opposition figures continue positioning themselves ahead of the August 2027 election, while Linda Mwananchi has been holding rallies in different parts of the country. Sifuna and other leaders addressed supporters at Nairobi's Jacaranda Grounds on September 13.

‘Spend more time strategising’

Owino also delivered a warning to the opposition against relying heavily on the size of political rallies as an indicator of electoral success.

“Spend more time strategising. Do not spend more time campaigning,” he said.

He cited his experience campaigning alongside the late Raila Odinga, saying he accompanied the veteran opposition leader to 280 of Kenya's 290 constituencies but argued that large rallies alone had not translated into the presidency.

“Let us plan. Let us strategise. Let us embrace each other. Let us go this journey together,” Owino said.

Nation also highlighted Owino's call for the opposition to devote more attention to strategy rather than concentrating primarily on rallies.

Babu turns attention to Nairobi

Owino said his immediate political priority would now increasingly be Nairobi, where he intends to contest the governorship in 2027.

He said he would continue attending some Linda Mwananchi rallies but would devote more time to organising across Nairobi's 85 wards.

“I want to shift my focus to Nairobi,” he said, adding that he intended to mobilise voters both for his gubernatorial campaign and for Sifuna's presidential bid.

Owino presented his record in Embakasi East as part of his case for the governorship, pointing to road projects and other development initiatives in the constituency. He asked Nairobi residents to judge his candidacy on service delivery.

Babu defends his ‘tough’ political style

The MP was also questioned about his conduct during recent Linda Mwananchi rallies and remarks he made during a confrontation at Jacaranda Grounds.

Owino acknowledged making remarks in the “heat of the moment” but argued that his toughness was part of his character and would be necessary to confront what he described as entrenched cartels in Nairobi.

He said a Nairobi governor would need to be tough enough to tackle challenges involving water, garbage collection, roads and other city services.

Owino also addressed an apparent disagreement with Linda Mwananchi figure Abbie Zuena, describing her as a friend and saying future disagreements should be handled privately.

“There could be some misunderstanding, as is normal,” he said, adding that he had spoken to her and would prefer to resolve any future issues directly.

The press conference therefore sought to deliver two central political messages: that Owino remains behind Sifuna's presidential ambitions despite speculation about divisions within Linda Mwananchi, and that his own attention will increasingly turn towards his bid to succeed Johnson Sakaja as Nairobi governor in 2027.