Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has announced a partial absence from Linda Mwananchi rallies amid claims of internal divisions within the movement.Speaking during a press briefing on Tuesday, 15 September, Babu said he would take a break from the movement’s rallies and shift his focus to campaigning in Nairobi.The Embakasi East MP, however, maintained that he is still in the movement and fully supports Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna for the presidency through the Linda Mwananchi ticket."I will still attend Linda Mwananchi rallies but I will not attend all of them depending on the programme that I have," Babu stated.The Linda Mwananchi principal said he is now focused on campaigning for his gubernatorial bid in the city as he seeks to replace Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja in the 2027 General Election. He revealed that the decision came following the nature of the city politics, describing Nairobi as a big county that needs full focus. "Nairobi has 85 wards. It is not easy. It needs resources and work. I need to focus on Nairobi. I want to shift my focus on Nairobi and not Linda Mwananchi," the MP added. However, while campaigning for his bid, Babu maintained that he will still sell the movement in the city, asking city residents to vote for him in the August 10, 2027, elections. His statements come amid claims of internal divisions in the movement, with sources privy to the Linda Mwananchi movement claiming that Sifuna and Babu are not on good terms after their rally in Nairobi. However, Babu dismissed the claims of divisions within the team, revealing Sifuna as his preferred candidate for President under the Linda Mwananchi political movement, pledging to use his networks across Nairobi to campaign for the senator.“I will support Sifuna as a presidential candidate in 2027. He is our presidential candidate,” Babu said.On choosing a single presidential candidate, the Movement agreed to have discussions among themselves to present a single candidate after Siaya governor James Orengo also declared a bid for the top seat under the Movement's ticket.Linda Mwananchi has, however, maintained that they are part of the wider opposition and will join hands with the United Opposition to send the incumbent President William Ruto home in 2027.
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