Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Senator Edwin Sifuna are the men to beat in the city, according to a fresh survey by the Radio Africa Group.
The poll, which has sent shockwaves through City Hall, suggests a massive shift in Nairobi’s political landscape as the incumbent administration struggles to retain its grip on the electorate.
Sakaja Under Fire
The survey reveals a “challenging picture” for Governor Johnson Sakaja. Despite his “Lavu Lavu” approach to city politics, the incumbent polled at a dismal 17.6%.
In contrast, his fiercest critic, Babu Owino, has opened a staggering 24-point gap, commanding 42% of the support. The data suggests that city residents are increasingly disillusioned with the current leadership, with many rating Sakaja’s tenure as either “fair” or “poor”.
What’s Bothering Nairobians?
Jobs & Safety: 24% of respondents cited unemployment and insecurity as their biggest headaches.
High Cost of Living: 20% are struggling to keep up with rising prices.
The Basics: While garbage and sanitation remain issues, they have been overtaken by the hunger for economic stability.
Read: They want to harm on eve of Raila’s burial, Babu Owino now says
Sifuna’s Commanding Lead
In the Senate race, Edwin Sifuna is operating in a league of his own. The ODM Secretary General holds a massive 47.5% lead.
His closest rival, Lang’ata MP Phelix Odiwuor (Jalang’o), sits at 21.6%. Sifuna’s dominance in the capital is being seen as a potential springboard for a future presidential run, especially as calls for his elevation grow louder in his Bungoma home turf.
The UDA Headache
The poll further exposes a “splintered dilemma” for the ruling coalition. While the opposition enjoys a unified front under Babu Owino, the UDA-leaning candidates are currently cannibalising their own votes.
Analysts warn that if the ruling party fails to settle on a single “consensus candidate”, they may inadvertently gift the governor’s mansion to the Embakasi East lawmaker on a silver platter.
