NAIROBI, Kenya – Raila Odinga Junior has assured Embakasi East MP Babu Owino of his support in the 2027 Nairobi gubernatorial race, hours after his father, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, publicly endorsed Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja.
The endorsement, made during an interdenominational prayer service at the Bomas of Kenya on Monday, February 10, has intensified political divisions within Odinga’s Azimio camp as succession politics for the capital city take shape.
While addressing supporters at the event organized by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Women’s Chapter ahead of his bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship, Odinga declared Sakaja as his political steward in Nairobi in his absence.
“I want Nairobi to remain strong, and this young man will hold things together and work well,” Odinga stated while pointing at Sakaja, signaling his trust in the first-term governor.
However, Owino has previously voiced concerns over what he perceives as favoritism towards Sakaja, questioning the governor’s loyalty to Odinga and the Azimio coalition.
“In a house, a father can love one child more than the other, but it is quite unfortunate that this child is not from our house—he is a neighbor’s child,” Owino said in a statement on January 16.
The outspoken MP has consistently highlighted Sakaja’s political history, noting that the governor has, on multiple occasions, opposed Odinga’s presidential bids.
Enyewe @HEBabuOwino bro relax niko na wewe !!
Owino recalled Sakaja’s affiliations with the Vijana na Kibaki movement in 2007, his role as The National Alliance (TNA) chairman in 2013, his position within the Jubilee Party in 2017, and his alignment with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) in 2022.
“This is not a person who has ever wanted Baba to lead. He hasn’t sacrificed for Baba. Baba should know better,” Owino asserted.
Governor Sakaja has dismissed criticisms about his political past, emphasizing his support for Odinga’s AUC bid and insisting that his collaboration with the opposition leader is in good faith.
“We wish Raila Odinga the best in his AU candidacy and the upcoming debate in Addis Ababa. We look forward to celebrating him as the chair,” Sakaja said in a past interview.
His involvement in Odinga’s AUC campaign, including accompanying him to Ethiopia for the proceedings, has fueled speculation about his growing influence within Azimio.
“I am being fought for working with Raila Odinga,” Sakaja recently stated, pushing back against accusations that his support is politically opportunistic.
As the 2027 Nairobi gubernatorial race begins to take shape, the rift within Azimio over Odinga’s endorsement of Sakaja suggests a brewing battle for control of the capital’s political landscape.
Whether Babu Owino’s ambitions will gain traction or Sakaja will cement his position remains to be seen.
