Embakasi East Member of Parliament (MP) Babu Owino has renewed his attack on the leadership of Nairobi County, describing it as been riddled with corruption, the main factor undermining service delivery and development in the capital.
Speaking outside the Nairobi Area Police Station on Friday, June 5 where he had visited comedian and activist Eric Omondi following his arrest over alleged involvement in recent fuel protests, Babu said corruption continues to drain resources meant for public services.
“We cannot tolerate corruption in Nairobi County. It is corruption that has killed Nairobi County,” he said, blaming graft for the county’s persistent inefficiencies.
He argued that the capital does not face unusual development challenges, insisting that basic service delivery should not be difficult if leadership is committed.
“There are unique challenges in Nairobi. Sweeping takataka is not unique, constructing roads is not unique, providing water for residents is not unique, working on medical facilities and providing drugs and paying medics and other support staff is not unique,” he said.
According to him, the issue lies in leadership priorities rather than capacity. “You just need to decide and work for the people. But corruption has brought Nairobi County to its knees,” he added.
Babu, who has declared interest in the city’s top seat, also issued a strong warning on accountability. “I will not tolerate corruption if elected Nairobi governor. If you tolerate corruption, you go to jail,” he said.
He further emphasised his political ambition, stating, “I am not just aspiring to be the governor of Nairobi; I will be the governor of Nairobi in 2027.”
The MP’s remarks came just hours after Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja suspended County Chief Officer for Urban Planning Patrick Akivaga Analo following his arrest by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) over alleged corruption and the recovery of KSh65.3 million in cash from his house.
In a statement released the same day, the governor confirmed the immediate suspension pending investigations.
“The County Chief Officer Urban Planning Patrick Akivaga Analo is immediately suspended pending conclusion of the investigation,” Sakaja said.
He added that the officer would be barred from accessing county offices, documents, or systems during the probe period. The Director of Development Management, Dominic Mutegi, will take over the role in an acting capacity.
