Member of Parliament for Embakasi East, Babu Owino, has broken his silence over a viral photo circulating on social media that appeared to show him enjoying drinks with Nick Ruto, the son of President William Ruto, and other individuals.

Speaking through a social media post on Monday, September 15, 2025, Babu clarified that the photo was not recent, as some social media users had speculated, but was an old image taken in 2018.

“Let me clarify this for the record. The last time I drank alcohol was on the 17th of January 2020,” he said.

Personal growth highlights

Owino emphasised that the image did not reflect his current lifestyle and stressed the transformation in his life over the years, highlighting that he has been sober for five years.“I have been sober for the past five years.”

The image comes at a time when Owino is a vocal critic of the president, prompting online speculation about the encounter.

Owino further assured the people of Nairobi of his commitment, saying, “I will transform the lives of Nairobians and Kenyans the way I transformed my life,” and emphasised that his sole mandate is to bring meaningful change.

Babu’s clarification comes months after he briefly narrated the circumstances that led him to alcohol, explaining that while living in a slum in Kisumu, his mother brewed Chang’aa to provide food and education.

“I have had my past, some of which is dirty. I have reached a turning point and I have decided to make a change that I am proud of,” he said. He disclosed that he first partook of Chang’aa at the age of eight, arguing that the circumstances at the time forced them to turn to alcohol.

He has since made a conscious decision to walk away from the bottle to be a better person for himself, his family, and his constituents.

Aspiration for Nairobi’s Top Job

Babu Owino's clarification comes amidst his well-known political ambitions for the Nairobi gubernatorial seat. A member of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party, Owino has served as the Member of Parliament for Embakasi East since he was first elected on 31 August 2017.

Before entering Parliament, he gained national recognition as the chairperson of the Students Organisation of Nairobi University (SONU). His long-held ambition to lead Nairobi has been a consistent theme in his political journey.

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Owino has been a vocal figure within Kenyan politics, and his recent statements indicate a strong resolve to contest for the city's top job, with or without his party's explicit backing.

Speaking on his vision for Nairobi, Owino outlined a clear agenda for the city's future, focusing on empowering its residents.

He reiterated it on his post, saying his main agenda will be to transform the lives of Nairobi people the way he has transformed himself in the 5 years of sobriety - if his bid for governorship is successful.

“I will transform the lives of Nairobians and Kenyans the way I transformed my Life,” he emphasized.

Owino’s political messaging often centres on youth empowerment and education, themes that he has carried forward from his days as a student leader.

He has consistently championed initiatives for young people and has vowed to bring that same focus to the city of Nairobi.