NAIROBI, Kenya — Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has declared his intention to contest the Nairobi gubernatorial seat in 2027 before making a bid for the presidency in 2032.
The lawmaker said he would serve only one term as Nairobi governor if elected, arguing that five years would be sufficient to transform the capital and establish a record that would support his presidential ambitions.
Speaking during a radio interview on Wednesday, Babu said he had discussed the strategy with other leaders and was already looking beyond the 2027 General Election.
“I have already told you we have sat as leaders, and I have told them we are all leaders here. Do one term, as I also do one term as governor, then we look for the president. I personally will go for the presidency in 2032,” he said.
Babu confident of winning Nairobi race
Babu expressed strong confidence in his chances of winning the Nairobi gubernatorial contest, saying he does not regard any potential challenger as a serious threat.
“There is no one who can defeat me for the governor’s seat in Nairobi. There is none for 2027. Someone who will defeat me for the governor’s seat in 2027 has not yet been born. Get used to your governor early,” he said.
His declaration places him among politicians positioning themselves for the Nairobi governor’s race as political activity intensifies ahead of the 2027 elections.
The Nairobi contest is expected to attract several high-profile candidates as parties and political formations begin positioning themselves for control of Kenya’s capital.
Points to record as Embakasi East MP
Asked about his motivation for seeking the governor’s position, Babu pointed to what he described as his record as Embakasi East MP.
He claimed that no audit report had implicated him in the theft of public funds during his tenure as the constituency’s representative.
The MP also claimed to have overseen the completion of 88 roads and facilitated the acquisition of school buses for schools in Embakasi East.
He presented the projects as evidence of his ability to deliver development and argued that his experience in Parliament had prepared him to manage Nairobi County.
Babu further said he had been ranked the best-performing sitting MP on more than two occasions, which he cited as another indicator of his leadership credentials.
