Alai said that while Babu enjoys immense popularity, governing Nairobi requires far more than slogans, viral moments and crowd appeal.
He cautioned that the capital city’s complex challenges — ranging from service delivery and urban planning to entrenched cartels — would quickly expose any leadership gaps once in office.
According to the Nairobi MCA, the governor’s seat is unforgiving and often reveals weaknesses that popularity alone cannot conceal.
He insisted that the realities of running Africa’s fast-growing metropolis demand technical competence, administrative discipline and political maturity.
Alai also dismissed recent opinion polls and online narratives portraying Babu Owino as a top-performing MP, describing them as superficial and misleading.
He argued that true legislative performance is assessed quietly within parliamentary committees, not through public theatrics or social media applause.
“The real work is done away from the cameras,” Alai remarked, adding that effectiveness in Parliament is measured through policy input, committee contributions and legislative impact — areas he implied are often overlooked in public rankings.
His remarks come amid rising chatter about possible Nairobi gubernatorial aspirants ahead of the next election cycle, with Babu Owino’s name increasingly mentioned by supporters and political commentators.
However, Alai maintained that the governor’s office is a political graveyard for leaders who underestimate its demands, warning that a misstep at City Hall could permanently dent an otherwise promising political trajectory.
The comments have ignited debate online, with supporters of both politicians trading sharp reactions over whether popularity can truly translate into effective leadership in Kenya’s most powerful county government.
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