Embakasi East MP Babu Owino says he will defeat Sakaja in 2027 even if ODM denies him party ticket

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has vowed to run for the Nairobi governor’s seat in 2027 with or without the ODM ticket.

Speaking during an interview on Monday, October 13, 2025, Babu said he will not be discouraged by internal party politics, insisting that his determination to lead Nairobi remains strong.

“I know Sakaja will be given the ODM ticket, and I know how much I’m hated in our own house, but that will not prevent me from chasing my dreams,” he said.

The outspoken legislator said his confidence stems from faith rather than party favour, declaring that “God holds my ticket.”

Tracing his journey from Nyalenda slums in Kisumu to Parliament, Babu said his life was evidence of divine purpose.

“God knows why He took me from the village to Nyalenda, from Nyalenda to Nairobi, and from Nairobi to Parliament,” he said.

He added that leadership is determined by the people not party endorsements and hinted that his political strategy remains confidential.

“Sometimes you don’t share strategy in public because your enemies are listening,” he remarked.

Babu also acknowledged ongoing tension within ODM but maintained that his loyalty to the party remains intact, even as he focuses on connecting with voters at the grassroots level.

“The ticket might go, but our ticket is in God’s hands,” he reiterated.

The MP, known for his vocal and often controversial political stance, said his mission is rooted in service and perseverance rather than party machinery.

“I know my journey and how I’m going to reach where I’m going by the grace of God,” he said.

His remarks come amid growing speculation about ODM’s 2027 Nairobi lineup and whether Governor Johnson Sakaja, who has clashed with some party leaders, could receive the ticket.

As the 2027 campaigns take shape, Babu Owino’s declaration sets the stage for a possible faceoff that could redefine Nairobi’s political landscape.