Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has distanced himself from any political confrontation with Winnie Odinga over her reported plans to contest the Nairobi senatorial seat in 2027, insisting he will not attack the daughter of his late political mentor, Raila Odinga.
Babu, who is eyeing the Nairobi governorship currently held by Johnson Sakaja, said Winnie was free to pursue her political ambitions, just as he intended to seek the county’s top leadership position.
Speaking while engaging Nairobi residents on his political plans, the legislator was asked to clarify his position on Winnie’s reported Senate bid and whether the governor and senator positions should be occupied by politicians from the same community.
Babu Owino's political stance
“On Winnie, I will leave it up to you. I will be the last person to attack Baba’s daughter, Winnie, just because I want to be a governor of Nairobi,” Babu said.
He urged residents to separate his gubernatorial ambitions from Winnie’s political aspirations, maintaining that he had no intention of turning the race into a personal battle with Raila’s daughter.
“Baba’s daughter Winnie has her dream, myself Babu I have my dreams. Allow her to pursue her dreams, and I pursue my dream,” he said.
The MP maintained that the choice of who becomes Nairobi governor and senator in 2027 ultimately rests with the electorate, dismissing any suggestion that he should oppose Winnie to advance his own political interests.
Community representation in politics
“You are the people who will decide. I return that back to you to make that decision. I will not fight the daughter of my boss, I will leave it at that,” he added.
Babu also challenged the argument that Nairobi’s governorship and senatorial seats should not be held by leaders from the same community, pointing to the outcome of the 2022 General Election.
He cited the election of Edwin Sifuna as senator and Johnson Sakaja as governor in the same election, arguing that voters should be allowed to make similar choices in 2027 without political positions being predetermined along community lines.
The remarks come amid growing political interest in Nairobi ahead of the next General Election, with Babu seeking to unseat Sakaja and Winnie reportedly considering a bid for the Senate seat currently held by Sifuna, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General.
Upcoming Nairobi elections
Winnie announced her intention to contest the Nairobi senatorial seat on Thursday, October 15, 2026, during the first anniversary commemoration of her father at Migwena Grounds in Bondo, Siaya County.
She indicated that she saw an opportunity in Nairobi as Sifuna pursued a higher political office, setting the stage for a potentially high-profile contest for the senatorial seat.
The emerging political alignments could add another dimension to Nairobi’s 2027 electoral contest, with voters expected to determine whether the governor and senator positions go to candidates from the same community or different communities.
