Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has dismissed reports claiming that former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua wants him to abandon his Nairobi governor ambitions and instead contest the Senate seat in the 2027 General Election.

Taking to social media, Babu described the reports as fake news, insisting that he remains firmly in the race to succeed Governor Johnson Sakaja.

“My unworthy opponents have given up and are now banking on fake news. Hii Nairobi ilienda kitambo sana,” Babu said.

He further sought to dismiss suggestions that he could be persuaded to pursue a different elective seat, declaring that the Nairobi gubernatorial contest would be between him and his other political identity, Paul Ongili.

“The Gubernatorial race is between Babu Owino vs Paul Ongili,” he added.

The remarks come amid reports of behind-the-scenes negotiations among opposition leaders seeking to coordinate their candidates for the 2027 General Election as they work towards building a united front against President William Ruto.

Reports published on October 21 indicated that Gachagua had allegedly asked Babu to reconsider his gubernatorial ambitions and pursue the Nairobi Senate seat instead.

According to the reports, the proposal was linked to discussions on how opposition parties could share elective positions while accommodating the ambitions of their respective leaders.

The reports also alleged that Gachagua was backing Embakasi North MP James Gakuya for the Nairobi governor position on a Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) ticket.

Gakuya is also eyeing the gubernatorial seat, setting the stage for a potential contest with Babu, who has declared his intention to run on his own Mwananchi Party ticket.

Babu has previously insisted on using the Mwananchi Party for his Nairobi gubernatorial bid, partly because he wants to have his own Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) in the Nairobi County Assembly.

The position could complicate efforts by opposition leaders to coordinate candidates in Nairobi, where several politicians are positioning themselves for different elective seats ahead of the next general election.

While the opposition has increasingly pursued joint political engagements, the question of which parties will field candidates for particular seats could emerge as a major point of negotiation.

The Nairobi governor contest is expected to attract considerable political attention as aspirants seek to consolidate their support ahead of the 2027 polls.