The contest for the ODM ticket in the 2027 Nairobi governor race is taking shape around Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, with a growing number of legislators backing his bid even as other party leaders position themselves for the same seat.
The latest show of support came from Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang', who publicly urged Babu to go for the Nairobi governorship, adding another layer to an already crowded contest within the opposition party.
"Babu, don't joke with Nairobi, take Nairobi, Babu take Nairobi. Will as many as are of that opinion say aye?" Kajwang' told mourners in Homa Bay as the crowd responded with cheers.
The senator made the remarks during the burial of the son of Kasipul politician Newton Ogada, where Babu Owino and Governor Orengo were also present.
His endorsement comes as Babu Owino, who is associated with the Edwin Sifuna and James Orengo-led Linda Mwananchi faction, continues to push his gubernatorial ambitions despite his differences with sections of the ODM leadership.
Kajwang' is among ODM leaders who have been regarded as 'fence sitters' in the party's internal divisions, making his public support for Babu Owino notable as the Nairobi contest begins to gain momentum.
Awendo MP Walter Owino has also joined those backing the Embakasi East legislator, saying he believes his namesake is the right person to take charge of the capital.
"Babu wants to be governor in Nairobi and all Luos in Nairobi should support him for the post. After assessing how he has performed in that role is when we can think and give him more powerful seat," Mr Walter Owino said in an interview with a local station.
Lang'ata MP Phelix Odiwour, popularly known as Jalang'o, has also previously thrown his weight behind Mr Owino's bid while making it clear that he intends to pursue the Nairobi governor's seat himself in 2032.
"I am preparing you for Babu Owino's leadership as Nairobi governor. I know he is coming to serve one term, and after that, he will hand it over to me as he moves higher," Jalang'o said.
He further predicted that Babu's influence would be difficult for rival candidates to ignore, whether or not he secures the ODM nomination.
"If Babu Owino is given the ODN ticket, he will be the Nairobi governor. If he is not given, he will cause a lot of trouble for the other candidates," he added.
Babu has meanwhile stepped up his criticism of the possibility of ODM handing its ticket to Governor Johnson Sakaja, questioning the governor's past political choices.
Speaking in Homa Bay, the Embakasi MP insisted that he was the next governor of Nairobi and challenged the argument for giving Mr Sakaja the party ticket.
"I'm the next governor of Nairobi County. ODM wants to give Sakaja a ticket yet in 2007 he supported Kibaki, then in 2013 and 2017 he supported Uhuru before supporting Ruto in 2022. He didn't want Raila yet he is now being fronted for governorship," Babu said.
Sakaja's possible move to ODM has also unsettled Makadara MP George Aladwa, who is already pursuing the party's ticket.
Aladwa, who serves as ODM's Nairobi County chairman, has insisted that the party must allow all interested aspirants to compete through a fair nomination process rather than settling on a candidate beforehand.
"I have supported and strengthened this ODM party for many years and everyone knows that we worked closely with our late party leader Raila Odinga. Let those who are planning to join ODM be ready for nominations. All MCAs and delegates are behind me," Aladwa said.
He also maintained that the Nairobi governor's position should remain with ODM as part of the wider political arrangement involving President William Ruto and his deputy.
"Nairobi governor seat should be given to the ODM. There is no shortcut about that. We have said that we will support President Ruto's reelection together with his deputy," added the legislator.
ODM party leader Oburu Oginga had earlier warned that Babu's relationship with the party could affect his chances, particularly because of the political ground he was seeking to build outside ODM.
"Babu was very clear with me that he is targeting the Mount Kenya and Kamba votes and staying in ODM will jeopardise his chances. However, I fear for him since he is likely to lose our votes if he doesn't work with us," Oburu said in March after meeting Babu Owino.
The party's search for an alternative candidate has so far faced difficulties, leaving Mr Owino with an opportunity to strengthen his campaign as the 2027 race draws closer.
Oburu's efforts to convince Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi to enter the Nairobi contest have not borne fruit, with the legislator instead concentrating on the gubernatorial race in Bungoma County.
Wanyonyi had been persuaded to step aside in the 2022 Nairobi contest to make way for businessman Polycarp Igathe, who went on to lose to Mr Sakaja.
The developments leave ODM facing a three-way political headache in Nairobi, with Babu building support among MPs, Aladwa defending his own claim to the party ticket and Sakaja's possible return under the ODM banner adding another major variable to the contest.