Babu’s Nairobi ambitions face test of alliances and numbers

The fragmentation of Linda Mwananchi could thus affect Babu's effort to build a coordinated political network in Nairobi

Embakasi East MP Babu OwinoEmbakasi East MP Babu Owino's bid for the Nairobi governorship faces key bottlenecks as he seeks to build a political machine to win and retain him at City Hall.

Babu, who recently announced his vehicle as The Mwananchi Party, has declared he wants to build a party capable of controlling City Hall after the 2027 election.

However, his break up with ODM, the challenge from DCP and emergent issues within Linda Mwananchi threaten to complicate that strategy.

Babu said his gubernatorial bid needs to have a strong political base in the Nairobi County Assembly, noting that a governor needs the support of MCAs to effectively run the county.

He cited the impeachment cases of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and ex-Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza as an example of what can happen when a leader lacks sufficient political backing.

Source: The Star