Embakasi East Member of Parliament (MP) Babu Owino has announced that he will run as a candidate for the Nairobi gubernatorial seat in the 2027 General Election under a new political party, marking a significant political change and putting his further loyalty to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) into question amid the ongoing cracks in the party.

In an interview with a local radio station on Monday, May 4, 2026, Babu gave a hint as to whether he would be breaking the party that has guided his political ascendancy, saying bluntly that ODM no longer exists in its effective form. Babu was categorical in response to questions on whether he would be included in a new political outfit under the Linda Mwananchi movement.

“That, I can assure you, 100%, definitely. ODM does not exist; sahii tuko na lemon,” Babu said.

He also pointed out that political parties, in his opinion, are only means to an end in order to achieve wider political objectives, indicating that his focus has now shifted to a new structure and strategy before 2027. Although Babu has said that he will not vie on an ODM ticket, he has made it clear that he does not plan to run as an independent candidate.

Rather, he announced that he will base his political agenda on the Linda Mwananchi platform, which he says is already actively mobilising people throughout the country.

“I want to tell you that Linda Mwananchi is working on something that should propel us because the party is just a vehicle. I am not going to vie as an independent candidate,” Babu added.

Linda Mwananchi to have presidential candidate in 2027

Babu further confirmed that the Linda Mwananchi movement will have a candidate in the presidential ballot for the 2027 elections, making it a formidable political force in the upcoming elections.

The outspoken legislator has also hinted that the movement will not work in isolation but will work with other like-minded people who belong to other political parties and coalitions.

This is the broad-based approach, according to him, geared towards the creation of momentum and influence in the build-up to the much-anticipated general election of 2027.