Babu Owino picks Kang’ata as model for his Nairobi governor bid

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has singled out Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata as a county leader whose development ideas he would consider adopting if he wins the Nairobi governorship in 2027.

Speaking during an interview on Wednesday, Owino praised Kang’ata’s record in Murang’a but stressed that he would not simply copy another county’s blueprint. He argued that Nairobi’s problems require solutions designed for a capital city with a much larger and more complex urban population.

“I see Irungu Kang’ata has really done a great job in Murang’a, and there is clear evidence of that,” Owino said.

He added that the two counties face very different challenges.

“The dynamics and the challenges facing the people of Murang’a are completely different from the challenges facing Nairobians.”

That distinction could become central to Owino’s pitch as the 2027 race for City Hall begins to take shape.

Why Kang’ata?

Owino’s praise comes after Kang’ata topped the latest Infotrak governor performance rankings, recording an 80 per cent score.

The survey placed Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya second at 76 per cent, while Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi scored 71 per cent. Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga and Makueni’s Mutula Kilonzo Jr shared fourth place with 66 per cent.

Infotrak’s previous CountyTrak assessment had also placed Kang’ata at the top, although his score has since risen from 68 per cent in the 2024 assessment to 80 per cent in the latest ranking.

For Owino, however, the lesson is not simply about copying Murang’a.

He said he would take useful ideas from other counties where they fit Nairobi, while insisting that he already has his own programme for the city.

“Whatever can be borrowed will be borrowed, but I already have my plan. So I don't need to borrow anything from anybody,” he said.

What Owino says Nairobi needs

Owino listed some of Nairobi’s most persistent problems as priorities for his proposed administration.

They include poor roads, drainage, healthcare, waste collection, water supply, sewerage, insecurity and unemployment.

His argument is that Nairobi cannot be managed in the same way as a largely rural county.

The city is Kenya’s economic centre and has a huge daily population made up of residents, workers, traders and visitors. That creates pressures that are different from those facing counties such as Murang’a.

Owino therefore appears to be positioning himself around a message of urban-specific governance, rather than simply promising to reproduce projects that have worked elsewhere.

Kang’ata's performance gives Owino an opening

Kang’ata's strong showing in the Infotrak rankings gives Owino a useful example to point to as he develops his case for City Hall.

But performance rankings are based on public perceptions and should not, on their own, be treated as proof that one governor's policies can simply be transferred to another county.

There is also a political dimension to Owino's remarks.

He is one of the politicians positioning himself for the 2027 Nairobi gubernatorial contest, and his comments come as several potential contenders begin defining their messages ahead of the election.

Infotrak's 2026 CountyTrak data also ranked Owino as the country's highest-rated MP, with an 80 per cent score, giving him another polling figure to cite as he seeks to build his profile beyond Embakasi East.

For now, his message is straightforward: Nairobi needs a governor who can borrow what works, but understands that running Kenya's capital requires a different playbook.

About the Author

Maureen Onyango is a journalist passionate about storytelling, life coaching and spiritual lessons. She studied at the Kenya Institute of Management and enjoys telling stories that inform, inspire and empower communities.