Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai Warns Babu Owino Against Nairobi Governor Bid, Claiming City’s Challenges Could End His Political Career

Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai has warned Embakasi East MP Babu Owino against running for Nairobi governor. He said the city’s challenges could end Babu’s political career. Speaking in a Radio 47 interview, Alai argued that popularity, street appeal or viral slogans are not enough to lead Kenya’s capital. He insisted that City Hall would expose Babu’s managerial weaknesses.

Alai dismissed polls praising Babu. He said real performance is measured quietly in parliamentary committees, not on social media. Nairobi requires leaders with strong management skills, strategy, and the ability to handle complex administrative and political challenges. “The moment Babu becomes Governor of Nairobi; his political career will be finished. This capital city is very complex. It requires strong managerial skills. The day he steps into that office, his politics will come to an end,” Alai said.

He compared Babu’s situation to Governor Johnson Sakaja, whose once-promising national ambitions have stalled. Sakaja, once seen as a future president, now struggles to even complete one term as governor. Alai said this should serve as a warning for anyone eyeing Nairobi’s top seat. “Didn’t Sakaja say he was a president-in-waiting? Now he can’t even be a governor-in-waiting; finishing one term is a challenge. He doesn’t even know whether he will finish or not,” Alai added.

Alai concluded that Nairobi has broken stronger political brands before. The city demands managerial skill, political foresight, and experience. “Without these,” he warned, “even the most popular politician could see their ambitions collapse under the city’s weight.”