Editor's Review

Winnie Odinga seeks to be the senator for Nairobi as Babu Owino eyes the governorship.

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino says East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Winnie Odinga has the right to pursue her political ambitions, noting that he would not be the one to fight her for selfish reasons.

The Mwananchi Party (TMP) leader aspires to be Nairobi governor.

Speaking to his supporters in Dagoretti Saturday, October 17, Babu said it will be for the Nairobi voters to decide, adding that the respect he had for the late Raila Odinga would not allow him to attack his daughter.

"As for the matter of Winnie Odinga, I will leave that to you. Because Baba Raila was a leader, I held him in high regard. I would be the last person to attack his child simply because I aspire to be governor, specifically, the governor of Nairobi. I cannot fight her, given that her father was my boss," he said.

Winnie declared on 15 October that she would vie for the seat.

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Speaking at the first memorial of her father in Bondo, Siaya County, Winnie said that Senator Edwin Sifuna's expected departure for higher office would leave a vacancy that she wanted to fill.

EALA MP Winnie Odinga.

Babu noted that just like any other Kenyan, Winnie is at liberty to pursue her ambitions.

"She has her own dreams, just as Babu has his. Let her pursue her dreams, and let Babu pursue his. It is up to you to choose," he said.

Winnie's announcement drew a mixed reaction. Some quarters argued that Nairobi cannot have both its governor and senator from the Luo community at the same time.

Babu rejected that view.

He said it would be no big deal to have a governor and senator from the same community, since the current holders of both offices are Luhya.

"After all, you elected Sifuna, a Luhya, and you also elected Sakaja, a Luhya. You chose two Luhyas for the positions of Senator and Governor. Therefore, I will not attack the child of my former boss; that would not be right. I must continue to show him respect, wherever he may be," Babu said.

Sifuna is eyeing the presidency, and he is being fronted by the Linda Mwananchi group as its candidate in the 2027 General Election. Winnie is not the only contender for the seat.

Lang'ata MP Phelix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang'o, has also said he wants to succeed Sifuna.

President William Ruto appeared to back him by calling him "Nairobi senator" during his working tour of Uasin Gishu on Saturday.

ODM deputy leader Simba Arati had declared that the party will hold fair nominations.