JALANG'O BACKS BABU OWINO TO CLINCH THE 2027 NAIROBI GUBERNATORIAL SEAT WITH OR WITHOUT ODM

The Nairobi governorship race is already heating up, and it's only 2025. Lang’ata MP Felix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang’o, has stirred political waters after declaring that Embakasi East MP Babu Owino is poised to win the Nairobi governorship in 2027.
According to Jalang’o, Babu has what it takes to unseat Johnson Sakaja, the current county boss, but only if the two avoid splitting the vote.
Speaking on the future of ODM politics in Nairobi, Jalang’o urged both Sakaja and Babu to hold honest talks and agree on who should carry the party's flag.
He cautioned that if both contest, the ensuing division could benefit a rival candidate from Mount Kenya, especially one backed by former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua and his new party, Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP).
Jalang’o insisted that political dynamics in Kenya remain heavily tribal, and warned that united ethnic blocs have the power to flip the capital’s leadership.
It will be very tricky. Remember I told you politics is tribal. There are times the tribes can come together to send someone home, or come together to fight for a common cause,” said Jalang’o. He pointed out that if both Babu and Sakaja vie, their shared support base might fracture, leaving the door wide open for an outsider to win with consolidated support. “Today, if Babu and Sakaja vie, both of them have the spirit of ODM and its leader Raila Odinga. They will divide the votes, and if there will be a candidate from Mt Kenya, for the first time they will be a governor,” he added.
Still, the Lang’ata MP maintained that should Babu clinch the ODM ticket, he would likely emerge victorious. Even without the party's official endorsement, he believes Babu's influence and youthful support would make him a serious contender in the race.
"If Babu will be given the ODM ticket, I tell you today Babu will be the Nairobi governor,” Jalang’o said confidently. “And even if he does not get the ticket, he will pose a lot of challenge.” Looking further ahead, Jalang’o suggested that Babu could serve a single term as governor before paving the way for others and eventually aiming for the presidency in 2032. He said the next generation of leaders, including Babu and Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, would shape the country’s future once President William Ruto’s second term ends.