Babu Owino Biography: Age, Early life, Education, Political career, Family & Net Worth

Babu Owino’s official name is Paul Ongili. He is a prominent young politician in Kenya, known for his courage, boldness, intelligence, sense of humour, just like the late former Prime Minister Raila Amollo Odinga, and fluency in English. He rose from being a student leader at the University of Nairobi to become a leader in national politics. This article by Havenkenya narrates the story of Babu Owino, who some nicknamed Babu Kwa Sababu.

Early life

Babu Owino was born in an informal settlement, Nyalenda estate in Kisumu, on 10 October 1989 ( age 37 as of 2026), and comes from a very humble background of a single mother, Dorcas Owino, who was a Chang’aa vendor to drunkards. The challenges in life at a young age, seeing his mother being frustrated by the authorities for selling alcohol, made him approach life with seriousness.

Babu Owino confirmed to Kenyans his origin and biological father from a tweet in X platform, he wrote to Miguna Mguna who was acusing him that he is not a Kenyan rather an Indian, ”Miguna I come from Yimbo Yimbo East location Pala sub location Kachwiji Clan Father’s Name:Domnic Owino Orieyo Grandfather:Joseph Orieyo Mother:Dorcas Owino Mother’s Home/Place of Birth:Sagam,Gem Yala”.

Education

Babu Owino studied at Kisumu Boys High School, located in KSM Town. He scored a straight A. Since his favorite subject was Mathematics, he opted to pursue Actuarial Science at the University of Nairobi, and he also got a Master’s in the same field. He furthered his knowledge to pursue Laws (LLB), and he earned both a degree and a Master’s. He has even represented some individuals, like Nuru Okang, in the court of law and won the case by asking tough, unanswerable questions. During his time at UON, he became very active in university student politics, where he built a reputation as a vocal student leader who often campaigned on fees, welfare, and youth representation. His early activism and public visibility laid the groundwork for his later national politics. While still a student, he made a social relationship with prominent leaders, i.e, the late President of Libya, Muammar Gaddafi, which sources claimed used to finance his political campaigns at the university.

Political career

After making his name as a student leader, Owino transitioned to national politics. In August 2017, he vied with the ODM ticket and won against his opponent, Francis Mureithi (Jubilee Party Candidate), gathering 60,856 votes. His victory was, however, challenged in the High Court, but the judges upheld his election win. He was again re-elected in August 2022 in his second term, this time because of the good development he brought to the people of Embakassi, including building roads, hospitals, and schools.

”Nitawachosha na Maendeleo (I will bring you many developments)” Babu said during his campaigns.

His future political plans

Babu is now eying the Nairobi gubernatorial seat in 2027, the position he has been salivating for all along. His main opponent is Johnstone Sakaja, who is the current governor of Nairobi.

Family and personal life

Babu Owino is married to a Kikuyu woman, Fridah Muthoni, who has been with him since he was a student. She is a fashion designer at @fnmbrand, they has a total of three children, two daughters and one son, whom she got with the previous lover.

Controversies and legal issues

Like other politicians, he has several high-profile controversies. In 2020, an incident of a shooting that left DJ Evolve injured at a nightclub attracted national attention, and legal proceedings followed, although he resolved his issues with the victim; however, the netizens haven’t forgotten.

In 2025, he opposed the ODM coalition with the government side, UDA of President William Ruto, in forming a broad-based government, and ever since, his relationship with other party members has not been the same.

Net worth & income

Babau Owino is a genius. While he was still on campus, he used to drive expensive cars and lived in Lavington, a lavish estate where high-profile individuals could only afford to pay rent. Many people doubted the source of his money. He is a businessman and owns real estate properties in Nairobi; he is also paid monthly as a politician, plus allowances. His net worth as of 2026 is valued at KSh 820 million.