From Nyalenda to Parliament: Inside Babu Owino’s Meteoric Rise, Scandals, and Unyielding Ambition

He’s brilliant, bold, controversial, and impossible to ignore. Paul Ongili Owino, better known as Babu Owino, has risen from the slums of Nyalenda in Kisumu to become one of Kenya’s most outspoken and influential young politicians.

The Embakasi East MP, born on October 10, 1989, has turned his story of struggle into a powerful symbol of resilience, education, and defiance.

From Poverty to First-Class Graduate

Babu grew up in Kisumu’s Nyalenda estate in a humble single-parent household. His father died when he was young, leaving his mother to raise the family through small-scale trading.

He attended Kisumu Township Primary and Kisumu Boys High School, before joining the University of Nairobi (UoN) to study Actuarial Science, where he graduated with First Class Honours in 2012.

Never one to rest, Babu went on to earn a Bachelor of Laws (LLB), a Master of Laws (LLM), and eventually became a qualified Advocate of the High Court of Kenya in May 2025.

He also holds an honorary doctorate in Political Leadership from Weldios University, Benin.

“Education is the great equalizer. I used books to fight poverty,” Babu once said.

Babu’s political fire was lit at the University of Nairobi, where he was elected SONU chairperson in 2011. His name quickly became synonymous with activism, street protests, and passionate defense of student rights.

While critics called him confrontational, supporters saw a young leader who never backed down, traits that would later define his national career.

From Campus Politics to National Power

In 2017, Babu Owino transitioned from campus activism to national politics after clinching the Embakasi East parliamentary seat under the ODM ticket. He won re-election in 2022, cementing his status as one of the most recognizable figures in Kenya’s youthful political class.

As an MP, he has championed education reforms, youth empowerment, and digital learning, even launching free online law classes to mentor students.

“When young people are educated and empowered, Kenya moves forward,” he said during one of his lectures.

The Family Man

Beyond politics, Babu is a husband and father. He is married to Frida Muthoni, and together they have two daughters. He also has a son from a previous relationship.

He often revisits his childhood home in Nyalenda to remind himself of his journey, a visit that went viral earlier this year when he brought his mother and wife to the modest home he grew up in.

“My past keeps me grounded. I’m a son of struggle,” he told his followers.

Controversies and Comebacks

Babu’s career has not been without turbulence.

In 2020, he was charged with attempted murder after a shooting incident at Nairobi’s B Club, an event that dominated headlines for months. He has also faced assault charges and several public altercations.

Despite these scandals, his political star has remained bright, with a loyal base that views him as a fearless truth-teller.

What’s Next for Babu Owino?

At just 36, Babu Owino has already achieved what many only dream of: a degree-laden résumé, two terms in Parliament, and a loyal youth following.

Insiders within ODM hint that he could be eyeing a Nairobi governorship bid, while others see him as part of Kenya’s next generation of national leaders.

“My journey is far from over,” he recently declared. “Kenya will one day be led by the young, the educated, and the fearless.”

The Legacy in Motion

From the dusty alleys of Nyalenda to the corridors of Parliament, Babu Owino embodies the modern Kenyan political paradox: brilliant, polarising, and unstoppable.

Love him or hate him, Babu’s name has already earned its place in the story of Kenya’s boldest young leaders.

“No amount of hate can stop destiny,” he says. And for now, destiny seems to be on his side.