Embakasi East Member of Parliament (MP) Babu Owino has announced that he will scale back his participation in Linda Mwananchi rallies as he turns his attention to his 2027 gubernatorial campaign in Nairobi.
Speaking during a press briefing on Tuesday, September 15, Babu said he would not attend all the movement’s rallies, citing the demands of campaigning in Nairobi.
The MP, however, clarified that he remains part of Linda Mwananchi and continues to back Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as the movement’s preferred presidential candidate in the 2027 General Election.
"I will still attend Linda Mwananchi rallies but I will not attend all of them depending on the programme that I have," Babu stated.
Babu, who is seeking to unseat Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja in 2027, said the decision to dedicate more time to Nairobi was informed by the scale and complexity of politics in the capital.
He noted that Nairobi has numerous electoral wards, making it necessary for him to devote significant resources and time to his campaign.
"Nairobi has 85 wards. It is not easy. It needs resources and work. I need to focus on Nairobi. I want to shift my focus on Nairobi and not Linda Mwananchi," the MP added.
Despite prioritising his gubernatorial campaign, Babu said he would continue promoting the Linda Mwananchi movement in Nairobi while seeking votes for his own bid in the August 10, 2027, elections.
His announcement comes amid claims of disagreements within Linda Mwananchi, with sources familiar with the movement alleging that Babu and Sifuna fell out following a recent rally in Nairobi.
Babu dismissed reports of divisions within the team, instead reaffirming his support for Sifuna's presidential ambitions.
The Embakasi East MP said he intends to deploy his political networks across Nairobi to campaign for the senator should he become the movement's presidential candidate.
“I will support Sifuna as a presidential candidate in 2027. He is our presidential candidate,” Babu said.
The question of the movement's presidential candidate has emerged after Siaya Governor James Orengo also declared his intention to seek the presidency on the Linda Mwananchi ticket.
The movement has since indicated that its members will engage in discussions aimed at settling on a single presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 polls.
Linda Mwananchi has also positioned itself within the broader opposition coalition, maintaining that it will work with the United Opposition to challenge President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election.
