Babu Owino Sends New Message to Gachagua’s DCP After Pressure to Step Aside for James Gakuya

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has dismissed calls for him to withdraw from the 2027 Nairobi gubernatorial race in favour of Embakasi North MP James Gakuya, who is seeking the seat on a Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) ticket.

Babu maintained that he had no intention of stepping aside, saying he wanted to face his competitors directly at the ballot rather than surrender his ambitions to another aspirant.

Speaking during an interview, the legislator questioned why he should abandon a contest he believes he is capable of winning, describing himself as a lion while comparing his opponents to tortoises.

“How do you step down in a race that you are already winning? You are already a lion, and these other people are tortoises; they are still crawling. How would you step down? I don’t even want them to step down. I want to defeat these people because I have hope Nairobians will punish these people once and for all,” Babu said.

The second-term MP, who left the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to establish The Mwananchi Party, intends to use the new political outfit to pursue his Nairobi governorship ambitions.

He also made a commitment to resign within his first year in office if elected and fails to deliver the changes he has promised residents.

Babu said he wanted Nairobians to trust him with their families, property and lives, adding that he was prepared to leave office voluntarily if his performance did not meet expectations.

“I’m going to bring serious change in Nairobi within one year. If I don’t perform, I will resign; I will not even wait,” he stated.

The legislator cited his experience representing Embakasi East as part of his preparations to lead the capital, arguing that his time in Parliament had given him an understanding of the challenges facing residents.

On the issues he intends to address, Babu identified cartels operating in the garbage collection, water supply and roads sectors as among his main targets if elected governor.

He claimed that the networks operating in these sectors were known and argued that a governor could only fail to eliminate cartels if they became part of the problem.

Babu also promised to enforce procurement regulations and ensure contractors complete projects before receiving payment. He said he wanted to address the issue of pending bills that has affected suppliers and contractors dealing with the county government.

His declaration comes as several political figures position themselves for the Nairobi governor’s seat ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Gakuya is pursuing the position through DCP, whose leader, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, has indicated that the party intends to field candidates across Nairobi.

Other politicians seeking the seat include incumbent Governor Johnson Sakaja, who has moved to ODM, Kasarani MP Ronald Karauri, who was unveiled as UDA’s candidate on November 9, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, Makadara MP George Aladwa and KANU spokesperson Tony Gachoka.

The growing list of aspirants sets the stage for a competitive contest, with Babu’s latest remarks making clear that he intends to remain in the race rather than withdraw in favour of Gakuya.

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