Betrayal: Babu Owino questions Raila support for Sakaja in Nairobi governor’s race

Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has questioned the move by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to endorse Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja for re-election. “I’m happy for my brother. Sakaja is a young man like me. We might differ only ideologically but nothing personal, and we differ because I’m also a resident of Nairobi who expects services just like any other Nairobian who pays taxes in Nairobi and should be served by the governor, as any other Nairobian,” Babu Owino said. Babu Owino has declared interest in the governor’s seat on Orange Democratic Movement ticket. Raila recently supported Sakaja’s bid to seek re-election in 2027. Babu is seeing the governor’s seat. Sakaja is a member of United Democratic Alliance. Raila endorsed Sakaja during a prayer meeting for his African Union Commission chairman election. Babu Owino said that “there’s nothing wrong” with Raila supporting Sakaja’s re-election bid. “Sakaja, being a young person, is an embarrassment to the young people in this nation, because of what has been done. Several research firms have ranked Sakaja in bottom ten, something tells you that something must be done. As a leader in Nairobi, I must push him hard enough to ensure that he delivers to Nairobians,” Babu Owino said. Babu Owino wondered why Raila would endorse Sakaja yet the governor has never supported Raila’s presidential bid in the past. “In 2007, Sakaja was in ‘Vijana na Kibaki’; never voted for Baba, never campaigned for Baba, therefore never wanted Baba to be the president. In 2015, Sakaja was the TNA chairman; never voted for Baba, never campaigned for Baba, voted for Uhuru, therefore never wanted Baba to be the President. In 2017, he was vying for Senate in Nairobi on the Jubilee Party; never voted for Baba, campaigned for Uhuru, never wanted Baba to be the President. In 2022, vying for governor of Nairobi; never voted for Baba, never campaigned for Baba, voted for Uhuru, therefore never wanted Baba to be the president,” said Babu Owino.