Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has suffered a major blow in his bid to become the next Nairobi governor after a fresh opinion poll showed voters shifting their support to a new contender. The survey suggests that city residents may be looking beyond familiar political heavyweights as the 2027 elections draw closer.
The survey, conducted by Kenya Track, places Embakasi North MP James Gakuya at the top of the 2027 Nairobi governor race with 45 per cent support, signalling a growing appetite among voters for a fresh option beyond the city’s familiar political faces.
Babu Owino comes second at 31 per cent, with much of his support coming from young voters and residents of Eastlands. His popularity is largely tied to his strong social media presence, bold political style and ability to connect with youths who feel ignored by the political class.
However, the poll suggests that some voters are still hesitant about his suitability for an executive role, a concern that appears to be slowing his momentum.
Sitting a distant third is Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, who scored 13 per cent in the poll. Sakaja has faced mounting criticism over issues such as garbage collection, traffic congestion and uneven service delivery across the county, factors that seem to be weighing down his re-election chances.
The poll was carried out between December 10, 2025 and January 7, 2026, involving 3,789 respondents across Nairobi through telephone interviews. Participants were asked both who they would vote for and who they believed could best fix the city’s long-standing problems.
Political observers say the findings point to a restless Nairobi electorate that is increasingly focused on results and leadership credibility rather than party labels or big names.
With the 2027 elections still some time away, analysts note that the race remains wide open, with shifting alliances and fresh campaigns likely to reshape the contest in the months ahead.
