Babu Owino: My name is bigger than any political party
By Faith Lagat, January 15, 2026Embakasi East Member of Parliament (MP) Babu Owino has declared his intention to run for Nairobi governor, saying his personal brand transcends political party affiliations.
In a January 14, 2026, interview, Owino stated, “I will be the next governor of Nairobi. My name is bigger than any political party.” He framed his ambition as being rooted in widespread recognition and influence that extends beyond 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.
Leadership philosophy
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.
Addressing Nairobi’s challenges
Owino described Nairobi as facing critical issues, including corruption and poor management. “Nairobi City County is a graveyard of garbage, a cemetery of corruption. And we must correct those wrongs,” he said.
He pledged, “Today I will tell you, and I tell you today before the almighty God, by God’s grace, that we are going to be the next governor of Nairobi.”
While asserting his gubernatorial bid, Owino acknowledged public input, noting he received millions of messages urging him to run for governor or even for president. “There’s still a window that we can decide,” he said, praising possible collaborations with other leaders like Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro for their political acumen and appeal to young voters.