[Simba Arati (left) and Babu Owino (right) in a past event. They are Raila Odinga’s foot soldiers in the crucial Nairobi city territory. Photo/Nation]
Despite his firm control of the city, President Uhuru Kenyatta may be a worried man on the grip of the Kenya’s capital at least at the time the country is undergoing political crisis.
With just four days to controversial October 26th polls, Nairobi, despite voting for a Jubilee governor, voted for opposition leader Raila Odinga overwhelmingly in the August nullified elections.
Having bolted out of the city politics, Odinga is now working closely with Embakasi East MP Paul Ongili alias Babu Owino and Dagogetti North’s Simba Arati.
“The control of the city is vital at this time and traditionally, Odinga has enjoyed support. Working with youthful Babu Owino even makes it difficult for Uhuru,” notes Gideon Mamboleo.
A couple of weeks ago, Owino was arrested and detained by the police for four days, a move that led to protests by students of the University of Nairobi.
Although not seriously taken by his political peers, Mamboleo adds, Arati’s ability to mobilise locals in major functions among them demonstrations makes him another major headache for Uhuru.
“We have seen Arati come out strongly and if they mobilise locals, then things could be even difficult to control during the elections. He is smart and popular.”
Nairobi is one of the regions where tension is expected after Odinga declared that he will not allow elections to take place before IEBC reforms.