Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja on Monday walked out of President William Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and formally joined the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), setting up a bid for a second term on the Orange ticket in the August 2027 General Election.

The governor was received at Chungwa House, ODM's headquarters in Nairobi, by Deputy Party Leader Simba Arati, National Chairperson Gladys Wanga and other senior party officials. The move ends weeks of speculation that grew louder on Saturday, when Sakaja appeared at ODM's rally at Jacaranda Grounds and asked the crowd which party he should run on. The crowd shouted for ODM.

'Baba told me to join ODM'

Sakaja tied the switch to the late ODM founder Raila Odinga, whom he has in the past described as a father figure. "Baba is the one who told me to join ODM," he said, according to The Star.

He told party officials he was bringing "experience, energy and conviction" to the party, adding that politics should be judged by "the lives we transform" and not only by elections won, Citizen Digital reported.

Raila had publicly backed Sakaja's re-election in 2025 and asked ODM supporters to remember him at the ballot. In August this year, the governor said he was still consulting on his political future.

A crowded race for the Orange ticket

ODM, which says it is the largest party in the capital, had courted Sakaja for months. Suna East MP Junet Mohamed recently warned that if the governor stayed in UDA, "he will wait until Jesus comes back, and nobody will elect him."

His arrival, however, puts him on a collision course with ODM figures who have their eyes on City Hall. They include:

  • Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, who has built his profile on youth mobilisation (Citizen Digital lists him as a Mwananchi Party contender)
  • Makadara MP George Aladwa, who has positioned himself for the ticket
  • Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai, who has openly questioned whether ODM should open its doors to Sakaja instead of nurturing its own

Outside ODM, Kasarani MP Ronald Karauri, Embakasi North MP James Gakuya (linked to DCP), former county chief officer Geoffrey Mosiria and Bishop Margaret Wanjiru have been mentioned as possible contenders.

What it means

Sakaja, a former TNA chairman, nominated MP and Nairobi senator, was elected governor on a UDA ticket in 2022. His defection to Ruto's broad-based partner comes as ODM and UDA prepare for talks on a possible 2027 pact.

It remains unclear how ODM members and Nairobi voters will receive him, and whether the party will hand him the ticket directly or subject him to nominations.

Photos: Citizen Digital (courtesy); The Star (handout). Thumbnail design: HAMASTA MEDIA.