In a significant political development at the Bomas of Kenya on Monday, February 10, veteran politician Raila Odinga publicly endorsed Governor Johnson Sakaja, urging him to continue leading Nairobi County effectively. “I want Nairobi to remain stable and for this young man Sakaja to continue being in charge firmly and do things properly,” Raila declared, eliciting cheers from the gathered crowd.
The stage for Nairobi’s 2027 political landscape was set by Makadara Member of Parliament George Aladwa, who boldly urged Sakaja to abandon President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and join the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). “Raila, when you go to the AUC, I ask you, Sakaja, our governor of Nairobi, to switch from UDA to ODM, and then we move together. In our ODM party, we have no jealousy,” Aladwa stated, advocating for unity within the party.
When given the floor, Sakaja hinted at the possibility of a party switch, saying, “Dalili ya mvua ni nini, sisi tuko hapo bamba to bampa,” which translates to “What are the signs of rain? We are there, ready and prepared.” His remarks suggest a willingness to consider a change ahead of the upcoming 2027 General Election.
Raila’s endorsement of Sakaja’s leadership is seen as a significant setback for rival politicians, including Embakasi East lawmaker Babu Owino and Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi, who have ambitions for the Nairobi governorship. As the political tides continue to shift, all eyes will be on Sakaja’s next moves and how they will impact the future of Nairobi’s governance.
With the potential party switch on the horizon, the dynamics of Nairobi politics may be poised for a dramatic transformation as the 2027 election approaches.
