Babu Owino: My name is bigger than any political party
Babu Owino, the Member of Parliament for Embakasi East, has announced his plans to run for governor of Nairobi, emphasizing that his personal brand goes beyond any political party.
In an interview on January 14, 2026, Owino confidently declared, “I will be the next governor of Nairobi. My name carries more weight than any political party.” He positioned his ambition as stemming from a broad recognition and influence that reaches far beyond the borders of Nairobi.
“If you go to Garissa, they know Babu Owino. So I’m saying with a lot of humility, and allow me to be humble,” he said. He reinforced this claim by adding, “Babu’s name is bigger than any political party in this country.”
The MP indicated that his personal appeal and public following are key drivers for his push to higher office ahead of the 2027 elections.
Owino drew on biblical teachings to underline his leadership philosophy. He recounted the Parable of the Talents from Matthew 25:14-30, describing how servants were rewarded or punished based on how they multiplied the resources entrusted to them.
“That servant was an irresponsible servant,” Owino said, adding, “The little that you have shall be taken away from you and given to those who have.”
He also cited John 1:1 to illustrate the potential of small beginnings. “A seed has the potential of becoming a forest. When you take a seed and you plant it, that seed will be a tree. That tree will produce many fruits and seeds. Those seeds will produce many other trees. Those trees will form a forest,” he said.
Owino used these metaphors to highlight his vision for Nairobi, promising to grow and multiply resources responsibly to address the county’s challenges.
Owino painted a vivid picture of Nairobi, highlighting some serious challenges like corruption and mismanagement. “Nairobi City County is a graveyard of garbage, a cemetery of corruption. We need to fix these issues,” he declared.
He went on to promise, “Today, I stand before you, and I say this in the presence of the Almighty God, by His grace, we are going to be the next governor of Nairobi.”
While making his case for the governorship, Owino recognized the importance of public support, sharing that he had received millions of messages encouraging him to run for governor or even president. “There’s still a chance for us to make a decision,” he remarked, expressing enthusiasm for potential partnerships with other leaders like Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, who have a knack for connecting with young voters.
Babu Owino: My name is bigger than any political party
