Lang’ata MP Phelix Odiwuor (Jalang'o)/HANDOUTSpeaking during an interview with radio presenter Alex Mwakideu, Jalang’o said Babu had a clear path to City Hall under ODM.
He reiterated that even if he is denied the ODM ticket, the Embakasi East MP would still be a formidable candidate in the polls.
“If Babu Owino is given the ODM ticket, he will be the Nairobi governor. If he is not given, he will cause a lot of trouble for the other candidates,” he said.
“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 added.
Jalang’o also weighed in on intra-party competition, warning that multiple strong ODM candidates could split the vote and hand the seat to a Mount Kenya contender.
“Politics, at a certain level, is tribal. If Edwin Sifuna, Tim Wanyonyi and Babu Owino all run, they will cancel each other out,” he said.
“They need to sit down and agree on one candidate, or else the votes will be divided and a Mount Kenya candidate will win.”
Jalang’o maintained that his view was not rooted in favour of any of the potential aspirants, but rather a strategic concern for the party.
“All three are strong because of Raila Odinga’s support, but they can’t go into the race together.”
Reacting to the endorsement, Babu Owino shared a video of Jalang’o’s remarks on his official social media pages on Friday.
He accompanied it with a short but pointed message: “All our opponents are unworthy.”
