Embakasi East Member of Parliament (MP) Babu Owino has fired back at Nelson Amenya, an Adani whistleblower, over claims that he has not delivered visionary legislation or transformative leadership in his constituency. The clash, which played out on social media, has sparked renewed debate about Owino’s performance as MP and his potential bid for Nairobi governor.
Babu Owino Defends Parliamentary Record
In a statement issued on Sunday, June 16, Babu Owino listed several bills he has either sponsored or supported in Parliament in response to Amenya’s criticism. These include:
- Legal Education (Amendment) Bill, 2023
- Kenya School of Law (Amendment) Bill, 2023
- Higher Education Loans Board (Amendment) Bill, 2020
- Support for the Social Workers Bill
The MP pointed to a February Infotrak poll that ranked him as the best-performing MP in Kenya, despite operating from the opposition.
“I was ranked the best-performing MP in Kenya while in opposition. I may not be the best, but there is none better than me so far in the race. The rest are unworthy opponents,” Owino asserted.
Nelson Amenya’s Critique
The disagreement began when Amenya countered an X (formerly Twitter) user who suggested that Babu Owino should run for Nairobi governor to replace Johnson Sakaja in 2027. Amenya described Owino’s record as underwhelming, both in terms of parliamentary achievements and constituency impact.
“Even if we set aside DJ Evolve’s case and assess him purely on leadership merit, the record is underwhelming. What visionary legislation has he sponsored in Parliament?” Amenya asked.
“Has his constituency seen measurable change in poverty, unemployment, security, and youth engagement? What tangible progress has he delivered in education or healthcare?” he added.
2027 Gubernatorial Ambitions?
While Babu Owino has not officially announced his candidacy for Nairobi governor in 2027, his persistent criticism of Sakaja’s administration has fueled speculation. The Embakasi East MP is widely seen as a strong contender, given his popularity among Nairobi’s youth and his vocal stance on city governance.