Babu Owino favourite to inherit Raila as next Luo kingpin

By Newsflash Writer

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has been identified as the most preferred political leader to succeed the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, according to a new Infortrak poll released on December 28.

The survey indicates that 33 percent of respondents favored Babu Owino, making him the top pick among Luo voters. Siaya Senator and ODM party leader Oburu Odinga came second with 10 percent, followed by Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga at 7 percent and Siaya Governor James Orengo at 4 percent.

Other notable figures in the poll included Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi and Interior PS Raymond Omolo, each with 2 percent, while Treasury CS John Mbadi, Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o, lawyer Miguna Miguna, EALA MP Winnie Odinga, and Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko received one percent each. Infortrak noted that 37 percent of respondents were undecided.

Limited national support

Despite his strong support within the Luo community, the poll reveals that only seven percent of Kenyans nationwide would vote for Babu Owino if elections were held today. The survey, conducted on December 19 and 20, 2025, was sponsored and financed by Infotrak Research & Consulting Limited.

The quantitative interviews used Computer Assisted Telephone Interviews (CATI) to collect data from a sample of 1,000 adults aged 18 years and above, designed to represent Kenya’s adult population using the Population Proportionate to Size (PPS) method based on the 2019 Census.

The firm reported a 99 percent response rate and a margin of error of ±3.10 percent at a 95 percent confidence level.

To ensure accurate representation, the dataset was weighted where interviews deviated from intended demographic proportions. The survey covered all 47 counties, with samples proportionally distributed across regions. Data processing and analysis were carried out using SPSS 27 software to guarantee high accuracy and reliability.