What You Need to Know
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has declared his intention to run for the presidency in 2032, starting with a bid for Nairobi governor in 2027. At a rally in Kisumu, he emphasized the need for youth involvement in politics and criticized the current administration for economic challenges facing Kenyans.
Africa-Press – Kenya. Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has formally thrown his hat into the 2032 presidential race, outlining a calculated political climb that begins with a bid for the Nairobi gubernatorial seat in 2027.
Speaking during a charged political rally in Kisumu, the outspoken legislator told supporters that his ultimate ambition is to ascend to the country’s highest office, but only after serving a single term as Nairobi governor.
Owino said he had often been advised to keep his long-term political plans under wraps but insisted it was time to be transparent about his intentions.
“On most occasions people tell me not to let anyone know of my plans at early stages, but I have to set the record straight,” he said to cheers from the crowd.
“I will go for governor in 2027 for one term; then after that, I will be on the ballot for president in 2032.”
The declaration marks one of the clearest public signals yet of the youthful MP’s long-term strategy to transition from Parliament into executive leadership at both county and national levels.
Framing his ambition as part of a broader generational shift, Owino positioned himself as part of a new wave of leaders seeking to redefine Kenya’s political landscape.
He linked his aspirations to the long-running presidential pursuits associated with the political lineage of the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and late opposition leader Raila Odinga.
“We started this journey a long time ago. Baba tried five times. The young people must now take over and move the country forward,” he said, invoking Raila’s widely recognised nickname.
Owino used the platform to rally young people to become more assertive in governance and national decision-making, arguing that their exclusion from key political spaces had held back progress.
“If we are not on the table, we will break the table. And young people, if you are not on the table, break the table,” he said, a statement that drew loud applause and chants from supporters in attendance.
Beyond his political ambitions, the MP also turned his attention to the country’s economic challenges, sharply criticising the rising cost of living. He accused the current administration of failing to ease the financial pressure facing ordinary Kenyans.
“The cost of living is too high. Fuel prices have gone up, and there is no money in people’s pockets,” Owino said, echoing a concern that has remained central in national political discourse.
His remarks come at a time when debates over economic hardship, taxation, and household incomes continue to dominate public conversation, with political leaders increasingly using such issues to rally support ahead of the 2027 General Election cycle.
Owino’s announcement also reflects a growing political pattern in Kenya where ambitious national leaders seek to first secure influential county positions before mounting presidential bids. Nairobi, in particular, is often seen as a strategic launching pad due to its status as the capital city, its economic weight, and its strong influence on national politics.
However, the road to City Hall is expected to be far from smooth. The Nairobi gubernatorial race is traditionally highly competitive, often attracting seasoned politicians with deep party networks and significant financial and political backing.
Babu Owino’s announcement reflects a broader trend in Kenyan politics where aspiring leaders often seek to secure influential county positions before launching presidential campaigns. This strategy is particularly evident in Nairobi, the capital city, which serves as a critical political and economic hub. Owino’s ambitions also resonate with the historical political legacy of figures like Raila Odinga, highlighting the generational shift in leadership aspirations among Kenyan youth. The political landscape is increasingly shaped by calls for greater youth representation and responsiveness to pressing economic issues.
