I'll Be Nairobi Governor in 2022, Babu Owino Declares

Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has declared he will be running for Nairobi governorship come 2022 and the presidency in the 2027 general elections.

Speaking on Citizen TV’s Citizen Extra show, the first time MP expressed confidence that he would succeed embattled Governor Mike Sonko in the next polls.

“I will not just vie for the gubernatorial position; I will be the governor of Nairobi County after the 2022 elections. I am the only hope for the residents of Nairobi and in future I will also lead Kenya as its president,” said Babu.

“I am different because I am well organized and a serious intellectual. With my intellect I will organize the city of Nairobi and rid it of its common challenges such as lack of enough water, poor roads and poor waste disposal systems,” Babu added.

Owino’s announcement come days after the Court of Appeal reversed a High Court ruling that nullified his victory in the August 8th, 2017 elections after a petition filed by his competitor Francis Mureithi of Jubilee party. The Appeals Court ruled that Babu was duly elected.

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) MP further asked Nairobi residents to give Governor Mike Sonko time to deliver on his promises. He said it was wrong to judge Sonko's performance when he has been in office for only eight months, stating that he should be rated at the end of his five-year term.

He told Embakasi East constituents to expect more development from him, now that his election had been upheld.

“I have facilitated the tarmacking and repair of 8 roads in Embakasi East; working with the MCA I have contributed Sh1 million to provide a temporary murram solution for a road in Utawala ward and I have also handed out sh. 25 million worth of bursaries to students of Embakasi that will facilitate their education,” he said.

“I also take responsibility for the title deeds issued recently by the president. It was only because I put the CS and PS into task that the project was successful.”