Sometimes back, one would have staked on Embakasi East MP Babu Owino to be the next Governor of Nairobi, but those chances appear to be shrinking fast. Not because of policy gaps or poor performance on the ground, but due to the growing political cost of his association with controversial blogger Maverick Aoko.
Over time, Aoko has built a reputation as outspoken, fearless, and unapologetic. However, her recent online conduct has drawn sharp criticism, with many arguing that her language has crossed the line from activism into outright insult. Her posts, which have targeted prominent political families, have unsettled even those who once admired her boldness.
Observers note that Nairobi is a cosmopolitan city whose leadership demands restraint, diplomacy, and the ability to unite diverse communities. In that context, repeated public insults — especially those touching on families and personal matters — are increasingly being viewed as incompatible with executive leadership ambitions.
The situation has placed Babu Owino in an uncomfortable position. While he has not authored or shared the controversial remarks, his perceived closeness to Aoko has meant that her words are often indirectly linked to him. In politics, perception can be as damaging as direct action, and critics argue that silence in the face of controversy is easily interpreted as tolerance.
Those following Nairobi’s political landscape say a gubernatorial hopeful must project maturity, discipline, and respect, particularly online. Any association with divisive rhetoric, they warn, risks alienating moderate voters who value stability over spectacle.
Supporters of Babu Owino maintain that Maverick Aoko is an independent blogger who speaks for herself and not on behalf of any politician. They argue that holding him responsible for her statements is unfair. Yet others counter that leadership is also about setting boundaries and choosing associations carefully, especially in the digital age where narratives move fast and stick longer.
As conversations around Nairobi’s future leadership quietly gain momentum, one lesson is becoming increasingly clear: words matter, alliances matter, and optics matter even more. Whether Babu Owino chooses to clearly redefine his distance from online controversy may well determine whether his gubernatorial ambitions remain alive or fade into political what-ifs.