Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has dismissed claims of a political fallout with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, saying their different ambitions ahead of the 2027 General Election do not make them rivals.
Owino, who is seeking to become Nairobi governor, said Sifuna remains his political ally even as the senator positions himself for the presidency. He said the two leaders can pursue separate elective positions while continuing to support each other and work together.
Speaking during a press conference on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, Owino rejected reports of disagreements between him and Sifuna, arguing that their political plans are not in conflict.
He said his support for Sifuna goes beyond Nairobi and pointed to his participation in political rallies in other counties as evidence that he is backing the senator’s presidential ambitions.
“In fact, I have attended and participated in rallies across different counties, far beyond my area of political aspiration, in support of Sifuna’s presidential bid. Different ambitions do not mean conflicting interests. We can support one another and work together for a better Kenya.”
Owino’s remarks came two days after the Linda Mwananchi movement held a major mobilisation in Nairobi, with Sifuna and Owino appearing together at a rally attended by other opposition figures.
The Sunday activities started with a church service at All Saints Cathedral before supporters moved through some of the capital’s busy commercial areas, including Marikiti, Gikomba and Burma markets.
The procession later passed through Stage 17, B Centre, also known as Bee Centre, Manyanja Road and Jogoo Road before heading to Jacaranda Grounds in Embakasi East, where thousands of supporters gathered.
The joint appearance by Sifuna and Owino offered a public show of unity between the two leaders, who were also joined by Siaya Governor James Orengo, George Natembeya and other opposition politicians.
Owino said his support for Sifuna’s presidential ambitions should not be confused with his own plans for Nairobi.
“I have been with him. I went with him to Kisumu. Why would I go with him to Kisumu if I were not supporting him, knowing very well that I was vying in Nairobi County as a governor.”
The Embakasi East MP also dismissed suggestions that differences between him and Sifuna could weaken or split Linda Mwananchi.
He said similar claims had surfaced before and accused those behind them of trying to create divisions among opposition leaders and weaken their political challenge to President William Ruto’s administration.
The issue has attracted attention as Linda Mwananchi seeks to build its support ahead of the 2027 election, while both Sifuna and Owino develop their individual political ambitions.
Owino has previously said he plans to contest the Nairobi governor’s seat in 2027 and serve one term before making a bid for the presidency in 2032. He has described the governorship as the next step in a political plan he says he developed years ago.
His position means he will have to build his own political support in Nairobi while continuing to back Sifuna’s presidential campaign.
The MP, however, maintained that the two objectives can exist side by side and said he will remain involved in Linda Mwananchi activities.
“I will still attend Linda Mwananchi rallies. I may not attend all because of now the work that I will do in Nairobi, also mobilising and campaigning for Linda Mwananchi.”
The September 13 Nairobi mobilisation gave the movement an opportunity to present its leaders campaigning together despite their separate political goals.
Nairobi, with 17 constituencies and a large and politically diverse population, remains an important base for political mobilisation. Owino’s focus on the capital is therefore expected to grow as the 2027 contest draws closer.
For now, Owino insists that his gubernatorial bid will not stand in the way of his support for Sifuna’s presidential ambitions, maintaining that different political destinations do not have to produce political divisions.