Babu Owino Reveals Ruto’s Plan to Maim His 2027 Nairobi Gubernatorial Bid, Claims ODM Leaders Have Taken Sides

Undated photto of Babu Owino 

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has claimed that President William Ruto is working to undermine the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) while also frustrating his own chances of clinching the party’s ticket for the Nairobi gubernatorial race in 2027.

Speaking during an interview on Ramogi TV on Wednesday night, Babu alleged that top ODM leaders have already shown preference for Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, leaving him sidelined. “I am very sure I will not be given the ODM nomination ticket for the gubernatorial race because ODM leaders recently endorsed Sakaja. Again, Raila defended Sakaja from impeachment,” he said.

The lawmaker further claimed that Ruto’s growing cooperation with some ODM figures was part of a wider plan to cripple the party before the next election. “Ruto is pretending to work with ODM, but deep down, he wants to finish the party from within. Ruto is not working with the ODM party in good spirits,” Babu stated.

He urged ODM politicians supporting the government to reconsider their stance and return to the role of opposition, warning that the party’s independence was being eroded. He also pointed to Raila Odinga’s recent assurance that ODM remains an autonomous party capable of fielding its own candidate in 2027, insisting that this was a clear signal of its continued role outside government.

Babu maintained that unless ODM keeps its independence intact, it risks being weakened from both internal and external forces, leaving it vulnerable ahead of the 2027 contest.