Embakasi East MP makes bold presidential declaration, cites youth leadership credentials
Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has thrown down the gauntlet for Kenya’s political future, declaring with characteristic boldness that he will ascend to the presidency in 2032.
The youthful legislator’s pronouncement, made during a radio interview on Wednesday, signals the emergence of a new generation of political ambition that could reshape the country’s electoral landscape.
“2032 lazima niwe rais kwa uwezo wa Mwenyezi Mungu,” Owino declared with the confidence that has become his political trademark.
The statement translates to a divine conviction that his presidential destiny is not merely probable but inevitable.
What sets Owino’s declaration apart from typical political posturing is his matter-of-fact dismissal of conventional electoral anxiety.
When questioned about ballot placement, he responded with striking nonchalance: “Forget about just being on the ballot; many people will be there. But becoming the president of Kenya is very easy.”
This audacious confidence stems from what Owino describes as being “overqualified” for the highest office in the land.
The MP, known for his academic credentials and strong youth appeal, positions himself as representing a generational shift in Kenyan politics.
He draws inspiration from Burkina Faso’s President Ibrahim Traoré, citing the young African leader as evidence that age need not be a barrier to transformative leadership.
“I have what it takes – the mind, the vision, and the heart to lead,” Owino asserted, pointing to his combination of intellectual capacity, political experience, and grassroots connection as his primary assets.
His claim of being overqualified even for the Nairobi governorship suggests a political confidence that could either be dismissed as youthful exuberance or recognized as legitimate ambition backed by capability.
Strategically, Owino remains coy about 2027, indicating ongoing consultations with his support base.
His promise to announce his intentions by December demonstrates political calculation – acknowledging that premature campaigning could distract from his current legislative responsibilities while keeping options open.
The timing of this declaration is particularly significant.
As Kenya’s political establishment grapples with economic challenges and youth disillusionment, Owino’s presidential ambition represents the aspirations of a generation that feels underrepresented in traditional power structures.
His appeal to young voters, combined with his track record of speaking truth to power, positions him as a potential disruptor in Kenya’s often predictable political cycles.
However, the road to State House requires more than confidence and credentials.
Owino will need to build broader coalitions beyond his youth base, navigate the complex dynamics of Kenya’s ethnic politics, and demonstrate that his rhetorical fire can translate into practical governance solutions.
Whether his 2032 presidential ambition materializes as serious contention or remains political theater, Babu Owino has succeeded in one crucial objective: establishing himself as a voice that cannot be ignored in conversations about Kenya’s political future.
In a democracy where generational change often moves glacially, his bold declaration might just be the catalyst for accelerating that inevitable transition.