MP Babu Owino Reaffirms Ambition for Nairobi Governorship, Rejects Claims of Switching to Kisumu
Embakasi East Member of Parliament Paul Ongili, popularly known as Babu Owino, has dismissed circulating online rumours suggesting he has shelved his plans to vie for the Nairobi gubernatorial seat in the 2027 General Election.
The rumours alleged that, after discussions with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), the fiery legislator had decided to redirect his political focus to contesting for the Kisumu County governor position instead.
In a sharp rebuttal, Owino strongly denied the reports, stressing that his intention to run for Nairobi governor remains unchanged and resolute. He accused his political detractors of deliberately spreading falsehoods to undermine him.
“Forget about the fake Information being peddled by my unworthy opponents. We are in Nairobi to stay,” he declared in a social media post on Wednesday.
This is the second time in the same week that the MP has attracted significant public attention. The latest statement follows reports of a heated confrontation between Owino and Kileleshwa Ward MCA Robert Alai.
This past Sunday, Owino alleged that MCA Alai physically attacked him at a restaurant located along Lenana Road in Nairobi’s Kilimani neighbourhood.
According to the legislator, the incident happened on Saturday afternoon around 3:40 p.m., when he visited the venue to hold a brief meeting with a senior clergyman.
Owino noted that he had given his security team time off for the Christmas period and had driven himself to the location. The discussion lasted roughly 20 minutes before he got up to leave.
“As I was departing, I noticed a group of people known to me seated at an adjacent table. Out of courtesy, I approached the table and greeted those present, including the MCA for Kileleshwa Ward, Hon. Robert Alai,” Owino explained in his statement.
He claimed the exchange rapidly became confrontational, with the MCA accusing him of sponsoring online attacks targeting his wife.
“Without provocation, he accused me of being behind alleged social media attacks on his wife. I calmly explained that I do not know his wife, that she has never wronged me in any way, and that I have no reason whatsoever to involve innocent family members in politics,” Owino stated.
The MP reiterated his principle of avoiding women in political battles, saying: “It is not my style to advance my politics by attacking women. I hold our respected ladies in the highest regard.”
Owino further alleged that the MCA then resorted to violence.
“At that point, Hon. Alai became aggressive, pushed me, drew a pistol, and struck me on the chest and jaw with it, all in full view of patrons at the establishment,” he said.
He added that the situation briefly calmed before flaring up again.
“Moments later, he again turned hostile, picked a glass of water from the table, and poured it on my face,” Owino stated, noting that onlookers had by then gathered around the scene.
Concerned about possible further escalation, the MP said he exited the premises and went straight to Kilimani Police Station to lodge a formal complaint.
