Babu Owino: I Will Resign Rather Than Face Impeachment if I Fail as Nairobi Governor
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has rejected calls for opposition unity talks ahead of the August 2027 Nairobi gubernatorial election, insisting he will not step down for any rival candidate.
Speaking during an interview with K24, Owino dismissed the possibility of dropping out to avoid splitting the opposition vote, arguing that he is already leading the race to unseat Governor Johnson Sakaja.
“How do you step down in a race that you are already winning? You are already a lion, and the others are tortoises. They are crawling,” Owino said.
Instead of negotiating for a joint candidate, the legislator said he prefers to face his competitors directly at the ballot.
“In fact, I do not want them to step down. I want to beat them at the ballot. Nairobians will punish these people once and for all,” he added.
The 2027 race for City Hall has drawn interest from several prominent figures across the political divide. Alongside incumbent Sakaja and Owino, other contenders positioning themselves for the seat include Embakasi North MP James Gakuya, Kasarani MP Ronald Karauri, Makadara MP George Aladwa and Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku.
Beyond the political contest, Owino outlined a strict performance timeline for his prospective administration, pledging to resign within two years if he fails to deliver on his campaign promises. He said he would leave office voluntarily rather than wait for the Nairobi County Assembly to initiate impeachment proceedings.
“I will bring serious change in Nairobi within one year. If I will not have performed into my second year, I will resign. I will not even wait to be impeached,” he stated.
Owino pointed to his tenure in Embakasi East and his past student leadership at university as proof that he can manage the capital’s larger administrative demands.
“I will deliver. I have delivered in Embakasi East. In university, they used to say they have never seen a student leader like Babu Owino. I have had a small seat, Embakasi East, to manage and I have succeeded. It only tells you I can manage a bigger one,” he said.
He attributed his confidence to what he called a development-oriented approach, asking Nairobi residents to trust him with their children, properties and lives as he works to improve service delivery.
On county governance, Owino promised to dismantle alleged cartels controlling garbage collection, water supply and road construction. He claimed governors fail to eliminate these networks only when they benefit from the corruption.
“When it comes to cartels, the only time a governor cannot finish the cartels is when the governor becomes part of the cartels. We know those in garbage, water and roads. We know all these cartels,” Owino said.
He warned individuals involved in the alleged networks against voting for him, adding that his administration would enforce strict procurement rules and require contractors to deliver work as stipulated.
“To cartels, do not vote for me, because when I come, you are headed to the village,” he said. “Procurement rules will be followed, and if you are awarded, do the work.”
