‘No doubt he is good’: Senator Ojienda weighs in on Babu Owino’s kingpin potential
In media reports today, there is what they call a surprising moment of cross-factional praise. Kisumu Senator Prof. Tom Ojienda has acknowledged the rising political star of Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, describing him as a “good” leader with undeniable talent.
Speaking during a TV interview on Wednesday night, April 29, 2026, Ojienda – a staunch member of the pro-government ‘Linda Ground’ faction of the ODM party – briefly set aside his political differences to credit Babu’s recent performance at a ‘Linda Mwananchi’ rally in his former childhood neighbourhood of Nyalenda.
“He is good. There is no doubt, you can’t take it away from him,” Ojienda said.
“He is a Kisumu-born and bred in Kisumu but of course now in Nairobi. He was born in Nyalenda, Babu is a homeboy; he is my constituent,” he added.
The comments follow a massive turnout in Kisumu that saw Babu Owino commanding a lot of supporters in his former childhood home, leading to the interview host to observe that the MP “appeared to be like a kingpin” on that stage.
When pressed on whether Babu Owino is the heir apparent to the title of Luo Kingpin, Ojienda – himself a key figure in the ODM Linda Ground faction and a staunch supporter of President William Ruto – suggested that the days of a single, all-encompassing leader for Nyanza might be numbered.
He noted that it’s currently hard for a single Luo leader to unite the whole region under their influence like the late Luo kingpin Raila Odinga did for decades.
“We have many kingpins in Nyanza. It is difficult to have a universal kingpin after Raila’s death,” Ojienda explained.
“I think we will have small kingpins in regions. So he [Babu Owino] could pick one of the regions—most likely a kingpin in Nairobi,” he added.
The analysis points to a significant shift in the Nyanza political landscape.
For decades, the region has moved in lockstep behind a single figurehead – Raila.
Ojienda’s theory suggests that the next generation of leaders, including Babu Owino, may have to settle for regional dominance rather than the total “universal” influence enjoyed by the late ODM party leader.
While Babu Owino has established a formidable power base in Nairobi, his recent “homecoming” to the Nyalenda slums has reignited conversations about his ability to claim his “birthright” in the Lake Region.
I liked Senator Ojienda’s attitude because it crystalizes things that are pretty obvious in our politics all over the country today. There is no need to fight the other side all the time. Just present your plans to the people you want to represent so they can vote for you. That is the biggest trick in politics in a country like Kenya where citizens actually vote like they will on August 8, 2027, for their next government.
Babu Owino declares 2032 presidential bid after one-term Nairobi governorship
“I will go for governor in 2027 for one term; then after that, I will be on the ballot for president in 2032.”
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has formally thrown his hat into the 2032 presidential race, outlining a calculated political climb that begins with a bid for the Nairobi gubernatorial seat in 2027.
Owino said he had often been advised to keep his long-term political plans under wraps but insisted it was time to be transparent about his intentions.
“On most occasions people tell me not to let anyone know of my plans at early stages, but I have to set the record straight,” he said to cheers from the crowd.
“I will go for governor in 2027 for one term; then after that, I will be on the ballot for president in 2032.”
The declaration marks one of the clearest public signals yet of the youthful MP’s long-term strategy to transition from Parliament into executive leadership at both county and national levels.
Framing his ambition as part of a broader generational shift, Owino positioned himself as part of a new wave of leaders seeking to redefine Kenya’s political landscape.
He linked his aspirations to the long-running presidential pursuits associated with the political lineage of the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and late opposition leader Raila Odinga.
“We started this journey a long time ago. Baba tried five times. The young people must now take over and move the country forward,” he said, invoking Raila’s widely recognised nickname.
Beyond his political ambitions, the MP also turned his attention to the country’s economic challenges, sharply criticising the rising cost of living. He accused the current administration of failing to ease the financial pressure facing ordinary Kenyans.
“The cost of living is too high. Fuel prices have gone up, and there is no money in people’s pockets,” Owino said, echoing a concern that has remained central in national political discourse.
My small view on Babu Owino going for the Nairobi Governor position in Kenya is that unlike how things have happened since devolution with outright clowns and thieves like Kidero and Sonko as the first governors, Nairobi City as a county could be only second to our republic government in terms of economic opportunities and assets including education where Nairobi holds half the of universities and colleges in Kenya.
How about health services to Kenyans who all know that Nairobi has some of the best hospitals and health care centres in the world and they are restricted to a select few which includes the politicians and rich folks in the city.
Can Nairobi ever have a governor who tells the national government that all hospitals in Nairobi County must be accessible to all Nairobi residents according to their health needs.
Economically, the population of Nairobi County is way bigger than the population of many countries around the world which have been very successful in building people based economic systems and growth which puts those countries on the world map.
Nairobi’s 2026 population is now estimated at 6,002,290. In 1950, the population of Nairobi was 137,456. Nairobi has grown by 235,300 in the last year, which represents a 4.08% annual change.
These population estimates and projections come from the latest revision of the UN World Urbanization Prospects. These estimates represent the Urban agglomeration of Nairobi, which typically includes Nairobi’s population in addition to adjacent suburban areas.
In plain terms from the population data of Kenyans who call Nairobi County their home anybody who wants to be the governor of Nairobi have to ask themselves what they are going to do to the 6 million folks who live there and want better living conditions and development in their county.
If Babu Owino can convince residents that he has a plan on what the Nairobi residents aspire to achieve in their lives, he is the next Nairobi governor in 2027.
Here is Babu Owino’s first big problem. Heard of something called the United Opposition? Here is their deal. Gachagua takes the Nairobi governor and his candidate will be untouchable. Even Kalonzo Musyoka will have to stay out of that.
So Gachagua runs his candidate for Nairobi governor.
Sakaja hangs in as UDA and ODM candidate and there will be a few other candidates from all over the place.
That is what a hot seat looks like and good luck buddy. That is before Babu Owino goes for the presidency in 2032 he has to face a nightmare to win the governor job in Nairobi County.
Adongo Ogony is a Human Rights Activist and a Writer who lives in Toronto, Canada
