Babu Owino Backs Sifuna for 2027 Presidency, Pushes for Opposition Unity
By: Gladys Karuga
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has declared his full support for ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna’s bid for the presidency in 2027, while calling for opposition leaders to put aside their differences and unite ahead of the General Election.
Babu said his relationship with Sifuna grew stronger during a difficult period within the Orange Democratic Movement, when Sifuna was facing possible suspension from the party.
According to Babu, Sifuna sought his advice on whether to travel to Mombasa at the height of the political tensions. He said he advised him against going, and later stood by him after the suspension.
Babu said he advised Sifuna to cancel a planned meeting in Narok and instead helped organise a rally in Kitengela, bringing together political contacts and supporters.
He said the Kitengela rally became the beginning of a series of political activities that later contributed to the formation and growth of the Linda Mwananchi movement.
Babu also recalled discussions he held with former Siaya Governor James Orengo on the political direction of the opposition following the death of former ODM leader Raila Odinga.
“Why was Babu Owino available for his brother Sifuna? It is because Babu Owino valued the relationship that he had with Sifuna. And because I tasted betrayal from my own party, I knew the fruits of betrayal really taste bitter,” Babu said.
The MP said he later accompanied Sifuna to political activities in Kisumu, Meru, Bungoma and Mombasa, as well as Tanzania, despite pursuing his own ambition to become Nairobi governor.
Babu dismissed suggestions that there was rivalry between the two, arguing that their political ambitions are different, with Sifuna seeking the presidency while he seeks the Nairobi governorship.
“I am supporting Sifuna for president, a hundred percent. I want to repeat it again, that I am supporting Sifuna for president,” he said.
Babu urged opposition leaders to form a broad political alliance ahead of the 2027 elections, naming Sifuna, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and former Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i among leaders who could play a role.
He argued that Kenya’s political history demonstrates the importance of coalitions in presidential elections, pointing to the alliances that produced Jubilee, NASA, Kenya Kwanza and Azimio.
Babu said Linda Mwananchi should also remain open to working with other political formations rather than operating in isolation.
He warned that an opposition divided among several presidential candidates could split the vote and weaken its chances of defeating the Kenya Kwanza administration.
“We cannot win these elections, the 2027 elections, if we are not united. If the larger opposition does not come together, then we will not win these elections,” Babu said.
Babu also explained the origins of his own political party, saying he began pursuing an independent political vehicle before Linda Mwananchi was formed.
He said his decision was influenced by the February 10, 2025 meeting at Bomas of Kenya, which he claimed was meant to endorse Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja.
Babu said he had initially understood the meeting to be about prayers for Raila Odinga’s African Union Commission chairmanship bid, but changed his position after realising that Sakaja was being endorsed.
He said he subsequently made several attempts to register a political party before eventually succeeding.
When Linda Mwananchi later gained momentum, Babu said its leaders began searching for a political party that could serve as the movement’s vehicle.
He said a committee of four leaders, including himself and Embakasi West MP Caleb Amisi, was involved in examining possible political parties.
According to Babu, some of the parties considered were not fully registered, while Amisi later left the process, leaving his party among the options.
He also said another principal proposed the Ukombozi People's Party and that he subsequently met Sifuna to discuss the possibility of working together.
Babu said Sifuna had no objection to an arrangement where different leaders could retain leadership of their respective parties while operating within a wider coalition.
He added that attempts to register the Linda Mwananchi Party name were unsuccessful because the name was reportedly already taken.
The Embakasi East MP said the choice of a political vehicle was important because governors require sufficient political support in county assemblies to implement their programmes.
He cited the impeachment of former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua as examples of how political disagreements can affect leaders who lack adequate support.
Babu said that if elected Nairobi governor, he would seek to work with a supportive majority in the county assembly so that he could concentrate on service delivery instead of political battles.
He said Nairobi, with its 85 wards, would be his main focus and that he intends to mobilise voters across the county while continuing to support Linda Mwananchi.
Babu acknowledged that he may not attend every Linda Mwananchi rally because of the demands of his Nairobi gubernatorial campaign, but said he would remain part of the movement.
He also defended his record as Embakasi East MP, saying residents should judge his performance based on the work delivered in the constituency. He pointed to road projects and previous recognition of his parliamentary performance as part of his record.
Babu also addressed the controversy surrounding remarks he made during the Linda Mwananchi rally at Jacaranda Grounds, where he described himself as tougher than an alleged “goon.”
He acknowledged making the remarks but said they were made in the heat of the moment and were connected to his experiences in political struggles.
He said his toughness had enabled him to withstand pressure from political opponents and continue defending his supporters.
“I was born a tough person, I was born a tough man. Because of my toughness, ODM has not been able to bully me and the people in ODM. Because of my toughness, the government is not in a position to bully me or lure me on their side,” he said.
Babu also recalled previous opposition rallies where he claimed supporters faced attacks, saying his resilience had helped him remain involved in political mobilisation.
He called on opposition politicians and their supporters to stop attacking one another, arguing that every leader and every vote matters.
The MP further urged opposition leaders to spend more time developing a winning strategy rather than relying solely on large rallies.
He recalled accompanying Raila Odinga to hundreds of constituencies during previous presidential campaigns, but said the experience showed him that rallies alone were not enough to secure victory.
Babu maintained that his political position remains unchanged: he will pursue the Nairobi governorship while backing Sifuna for president and supporting efforts to build a wider opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 elections.
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