SUBA CHURCHILL: Babu's performance, age working for him in city politics

Embakasi East member of parliament Babu Owino /HANDOUT

I think one of the things that seems to work for Babu Owino is that a number of young voters of his age range see him as a reflection of themselves.

He is vocal, he is very radical or appears to be very radical, he is one guy who has created the impression that if given a chance he can overhaul the system.

That is one thing that seems to be going for him, and of course he comes across as one who, even before former ODM supremo Raila Odinga died, appeared a bit critical of some of the decisions. Of course he was a little bit reserved then, but has now come full throttle in the open to oppose some of the thorny issues that are currently bogging the Orange Democratic Movement party.

Also when you look at Babu, you know, in his public speaking, he looks very, jocular inasmuch as he looks very serious and radical, he's also very playful and has a lot of humour in his speaking.

For instance, his characteristic posture to segment the audience, and that seems to impact very positively on a number of female voters who feel that here is somebody who recognises us and therefore in his leadership, he will definitely have something for us and will not forget us.

When you engage people from his constituency, there seems to be a general sense of satisfaction with the manner in which, for example, he disburses the bursaries under his National Government Constituencies Development Fund.

There is a feeling among his constituents that he has served them to the best of his capability, and that he does things transparently and therefore he is accountable.

There is something about him that resonates with people of different generations.

Even if you have discussions with older people, they think that he can make a better leader than other people of his generation and positions of leadership.