Babu Owino rules out rivalry with Winnie Odinga in Nairobi's 2027 political contest

Babu Owino rules out rivalry with Winnie Odinga in Nairobi's 2027 political contest

Babu said Winnie should be allowed to pursue her political dreams as he works towards his own, leaving Nairobi residents to decide who they want to elect.

Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has ruled out fighting EALA MP Winnie Odinga over their political ambitions in Nairobi, saying his bid for governor will not stand in the way of her quest for the Senate seat in the 2027 General Election.

Speaking during a political gathering on Saturday, Babu said Winnie should be allowed to pursue her political dreams as he works towards his own, leaving Nairobi residents to decide who they want to elect.

He said his respect for the former prime minister was among the reasons he would not turn his political ambitions into a personal conflict with Winnie.

“Just because I want to become the governor of Nairobi does not mean I should fight her. He was my boss, and now that he is no longer here, I cannot fight his child. Her mother, too. A child has dreams, and Babu has his own dreams,” he said.

The Embakasi East MP maintained that both he and Winnie had a right to pursue their ambitions, adding that the final decision rested with Nairobi voters.

“Let her pursue her dreams, and I will pursue mine. Then you can decide who to choose. After all, you chose Sifuna, who is a Luhya, and you also chose a Luhya as governor. So, make your own decision. I cannot fight my former boss’s child,” he said.

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Babu’s remarks came two days after Winnie announced her intention to contest the Nairobi Senate seat in the 2027 General Election, setting the stage for a possible contest for the position currently held by Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General Edwin Sifuna.

Winnie, a member of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), declared her bid on Thursday, October 15, 2026, during the first anniversary commemoration of her father at Migwena Grounds in Bondo, Siaya County.

She said she had identified an opportunity in Nairobi as Sifuna pursued higher political office.

“Let it not be a rumour that as Edwin Sifuna searches for higher offices I see kuna space, kuna nafasi hapo Nairobi, and that is why I have decided that I will stand for the senator of Nairobi County,” Winnie said.

She also called on young people to prepare to contest elective positions, saying she wanted to enter the race alongside other young leaders.

“Lakini siendi peke yangu, I am going with young people. I want young people of this country to prepare to stand. You stand for governor, you stand for senate, MCA, MP because siendi peke yangu,” Winnie added.

Winnie said her political ambitions were informed by the need to see more young people take up leadership roles and participate in shaping the country’s future.

Her announcement has added to the growing interest in Nairobi’s 2027 political contests, with Lang’ata MP Felix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang’o, also expressing interest in the Senate seat as he seeks the ODM ticket.

Babu, meanwhile, has been pursuing the Nairobi governor’s seat, putting him on a different political path from Winnie despite their shared association with Raila.

The former prime minister’s daughter also used the anniversary commemoration to reflect on her father’s vision for Kenya, saying he championed justice and equal opportunities for all citizens regardless of their background.

“Dad had a Kenyan dream: He believed that wherever you were born, whatever your surname, whatever your community, you deserved the opportunity to live a decent life,” she said.

She further expressed concern over the struggles facing Kenyans who had pursued education, sought jobs, started businesses, borrowed money and voted in the hope of improving their lives but had yet to see progress.

“Leo people have given up hope. It breaks my heart when I see some of you ulisoma, ukatuma applications ukafwatilia, ukafungua boiashara, ukakopa, ukafanya kazi, ukapiga kura, ukasubiri, ukaamini tena lakini maisha hayakusonga mbele,” the MP added.