NAIROBI, Kenya – Former Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana has urged Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna to resist attempts to drive them apart, warning that political ambitions should not undermine their relationship ahead of the 2027 General Election.
In a message shared on Sunday, November 15, 2026, Kibwana argued that Kenyans would prefer to see the two politicians work together rather than view each other as rivals.
“Those who try to estrange these two are enemies of Kenya and the future,” Kibwana stated.
The former governor suggested that the country could benefit from an arrangement in which one of the leaders becomes President while the other serves as Nairobi Governor.
“Kenyans want one to be President and the other Governor of Nairobi County,” he said.
He further cautioned the two against accepting claims that their political ambitions put them in direct competition.
“If anybody tells these two they are competitors and they believe it, then you will have let Kenya down,” he added.
Kibwana’s remarks come as political activity intensifies ahead of the August 2027 elections, with Sifuna attracting attention over his presidential ambitions and Babu positioning himself within the emerging political realignments.
Babu backs Sifuna’s presidential ambitions
Babu has previously publicly endorsed Sifuna for the presidency in 2027, describing the Nairobi Senator as the preferred candidate for the Linda Mwananchi movement.
In September, the Embakasi East MP pledged to mobilise support for Sifuna, saying he would focus on building the senator’s political backing in Nairobi.
Babu has also spoken about supporting Sifuna for two presidential terms before pursuing his own presidential ambitions, signalling that he does not necessarily view their long-term political interests as incompatible.
However, the two politicians are associated with different political structures. Babu has established The Mwananchi Party, while Sifuna’s presidential ambitions have been linked to the Linda Mwananchi movement.
The question of which political vehicle will ultimately be used by the movement’s leaders has featured in discussions about their 2027 strategy.
Kibwana appointed Mwananchi Party patron
Kibwana’s intervention also comes shortly after Babu appointed him patron of The Mwananchi Party on Friday, November 6.
Announcing the appointment, the MP described the former Makueni governor as an accomplished law professor and human rights defender with extensive public service experience.
“Professor Kivutha Kibwana is a distinguished Professor of Law and a passionate defender of human rights,” Babu said.
He also praised Kibwana’s record during his tenure as Makueni Governor, saying he had been recognised among Kenya’s best-performing county chiefs.
“The Mwananchi Party is honoured and privileged to have him as our PATRON,” Babu stated.
Kibwana served as Makueni’s first governor from 2013 to 2022 and previously held Cabinet positions in the national government.
His appointment places him within Babu’s political outfit at a time when leaders associated with Linda Mwananchi are navigating questions about party affiliations, leadership and their electoral ambitions.
Opposition alliances face competing political interests
The relationship between Babu and Sifuna has attracted attention as opposition figures begin positioning themselves for the 2027 elections.
Although Babu has publicly backed Sifuna’s presidential bid, political discussions within the broader movement have also involved questions about competing ambitions and the party through which its leaders will contest.
Kibwana’s message places the emphasis on maintaining cooperation despite those political calculations.
His suggestion that one leader could occupy State House while the other becomes Nairobi Governor remains a political proposal rather than an announced agreement between the two politicians.
With the 2027 election approaching, whether the leaders can maintain a common political strategy while pursuing their individual ambitions will remain an important question for the movement.
