By Anderson Ojwang
Despite Embakasi East MP Babu Owino having declared interest in the Nairobi gubernatorial seat, his star is on a steady rise and he is emerging as one of the key and significant players in the 2027 presidential election.
Babu is not only emerging as the probable heir apparent to the late Raila Amolo Odinga’s political constituency, but he is becoming one of the preferred and significant presidential candidates in the 2027 General Elections.
However, the poll presents President William Ruto and the opposition with a headache on how to wriggle to victory, with each team having the opportunity to run away with the mantle.
The Infotrak Poll released on December 28, 2025, paints a bright future for the alumnus of Kisumu Boys High School and former student leader at the University of Nairobi.
In the poll on the perceived successors to the late Raila Odinga, Babu topped with 33 per cent and was followed by the new ODM leader, Dr Oburu Odinga, who stands at 10 per cent.
Babu, with a whopping difference of 23 per cent over his immediate followers, speaks of the emerging political dispensation and realignment in the Luo community after Raila’s demise.
Similarly, the emerging political pact between Babu and Raila’s youngest daughter, Winnie Odinga, could be unsettling the status quo and aiding youthful leaders to run away with the crown.
ODM National Chairperson Gladys Wanga came third with seven per cent, while James Orengo was fourth at four per cent. Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi and Permanent Secretary Dr Raymond Omollo also garnered two per cent each. Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o, Miguna Miguna, Winnie Odinga, and Ochilo Ayako stood at one per cent each.
The undecided stood at 37 per cent and are likely to be swayed by emerging political formations in the country.
Interestingly, two major camps have already emerged in Nyanza, with one supporting the broad-based arrangement and revolving around Oburu, Wanga, Wandayi, Omollo, Mbadi, and Ayako. From this camp, if they unite behind one candidate to be the heir apparent to Raila, the total percentage they can garner in the pursuit is 23 per cent, still 10 per cent behind Babu.
Interestingly, the other wing is composed of Orengo and Babu, while Winnie has shown preference for the Embakasi MP, giving them a combined total of 38 per cent.
Nyong’o and Miguna have not stated their political leanings and may join the list of the undecided.
For Raila’s political constituency, Babu is outstretching his competitors and may be the person heading into 2026 as the significant player ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
For the first time in the presidential category, Babu has perfectly fitted into the void left behind by Raila and now emerges as one of the players at the presidential table.
In the poll, President William Ruto emerged at the top with 28 per cent, a gap which could be worrying to his supporters should the opposition front a joint presidential candidate.
Former Internal Security Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i came second with 13 per cent, while Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka came third with 12 per cent.
Of significance was the emergence of Babu, who came fourth with seven per cent and upstaged DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua, who received five per cent.
Martha Karua and former Chief Justice David Maraga scored two per cent each.
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga polled one per cent, the same as her Trans Nzoia counterpart, George Natembeya.
The undecided were ranked at 25 per cent, while four per cent preferred not to state their preferred candidate.
In the polling, Wanga is the only ally to President Ruto, and her emergence in the ranking is a positive for the President in his pursuit of a second term.
For the opposition, a united joint presidential candidate would cause President Ruto a nightmare and would give them 42.5 per cent, 8.0 per cent short of victory.
For President Ruto, having only Wanga as an ally leaves him at 29 per cent, requiring 21.1 per cent to secure a second term.
This complex political situation presents both the President and the opposition with an uphill task of strategising on a working arrangement to win the presidency.
For Ruto, he may opt to apply the script of former President Daniel arap Moi that gave him victory during the first multi-party election and the subsequent election.
For the joint opposition, they may have to evoke the late Raila Amolo Odinga’s famous quote of Kibaki Tosha to ride to victory or perish.
For Babu, he has to go back to the drawing board and avoid rushed political decisions to be on the winning team.
