MP Babu Owino breaks silence on Raila's endorsement of Nairobi Governor Sakaja

Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has spoken out on the recent move by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to publicly declare support for Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja.

The action by Mr. Odinga, during a prayer meeting for his African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson bid at the Bomas of Kenya on Monday, was seen as an endorsement ahead of the 2027 polls and elicited mixed reactions since Sakaja is a member of the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party.

Mr. Odinga was seen to have bypassed, perhaps even betrayed, Mr. Owino, who belongs to his own Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party, and who has also seemingly expressed interest in the seat at the next General Election.

Mr. Owino, speaking on Citizen TV’s JKLive Show on Wednesday night, said “there’s nothing wrong” with Mr. Odinga’s perceived endorsement of Sakaja’s re-election bid.

He noted that his differences with the incumbent Nairobi County boss are nothing personal, purely ideological, and so he has no qualms with whosoever chooses to support Sakaja, adding that he is comfortable being “endorsed by God and the people.”

“I’m happy for my brother, Sakaja is a young man like myself; we might differ only ideologically but nothing personal, and we differ because I’m also a resident of Nairobi who expects services just like any other Nairobian who pays taxes in Nairobi and should be served by the Governor, as any other Nairobian,” he stated.

“Sakaja, being a young person, is an embarrassment to the young people in this nation, because of what has been done. Several research firms have ranked Sakaja in bottom ten, something tells you that something must be done. As a leader in Nairobi, I must push him hard enough to ensure that he delivers to Nairobians.”

The MP added: “If Baba (Mr. Odinga) endorsed Sakaja, then there’s nothing also wrong with that. Babu Owino has been endorsed by the Almighty God and Kenyans, and you can see by the results (I’m) ranked at the top. However, if a prodigal son comes back home, even if we have a squirrel, we will slaughter it and welcome him back home.”

The outspoken legislator, however, went on to outline the Governor’s political career, all through of which Mr. Owino revealed that Sakaja has never campaigned for or supported Mr. Odinga’s multiple stabs at the presidency.

He further, albeit lightly, intimated that if President William Ruto had supported another candidate for the AUC Chair seat against Mr. Odinga, then Sakaja would probably have supported that alternative as opposed to the former Prime Minister because “he has never liked Baba.”

“In 2007, Sakaja was in ‘Vijana na Kibaki’; never voted for Baba, never campaigned for Baba, therefore never wanted Baba to be the President. In 2015, Sakaja was the TNA Chairman; never voted for Baba, never campaigned for Baba, voted for Uhuru, therefore never wanted Baba to be the President. In 2017, he was vying for Senate in Nairobi on the Jubilee party; never voted for Baba, campaigned for Uhuru, never wanted Baba to be the President. In 2022, vying for Governor Nairobi; never voted for Baba, never campaigned for Baba, voted for Uhuru, therefore never wanted Baba to be the President,” said Mr. Owino.

“I’m telling you today, if Ruto (had another candidate that he) was supporting for AUC Chairperson, Sakaja would’ve campaigned for that candidate, not Baba, because he has never liked Baba.”

Mr. Owino also hinted at his future political plans, claiming that he is even qualified to occupy the highest seat in the land owing to his leadership capability and track record.

He singled out 36-year-old Burkina Faso President Ibrahim Traore, noting that “my age mates are already Presidents.”

“Look at Burkina Faso, the gentleman is 36 years old, he’s already a President. I’m overqualified to be a President of the Republic of Kenya. I have all the instruments necessary. The political acumen is available, the passion and the energy I have, the third thing that I have is the intellect, but the most important thing that I have is the Almighty God,” he said.

“Therefore, I’m overqualified to be a President, I’m overqualified to be a Governor, and I’m overqualified to be a Member of the National Assembly. For now, the most important thing, is to work for my people.”