The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) announced on Thursday that it will field its own candidate for the Nairobi gubernatorial seat in 2027, with the party ticket restricted to members only. This is a blow to incumbent Governor Johnson Sakaja, who had close ties to former party leader Raila Odinga. ODM Nairobi members have declared Makadara MP George Aladwa as their aspirant.
On Thursday, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) held a meeting of its Nairobi County members, led by Deputy Party Leader Simba Arati and Makadara MP George Aladwa. In the meeting, they announced that the party's ticket for the Nairobi gubernatorial seat in 2027 will go to an ODM member only, with Aladwa set to use it to vie for the position.
This announcement is a blow to Governor Johnson Sakaja, who won the 2022 election on the UDA ticket and remains a member. Sakaja appeared well-positioned to secure the ODM nomination due to his relationship with Raila Odinga, who two months ago instructed ODM MCAs not to thwart his plans and was seen as endorsing him at a prayer event in Bomas Hall. Those prayers were for Odinga's bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship.
The Raila-Sakaja ties shook MPs Babu Owino of Embakasi East and Tim Wanyonyi of Westlands, who earlier seemed poised to use ODM to contest for governor. Owino shifted to the opposition wing, while Wanyonyi moved his political focus to Bungoma County.
Arati stated: “I want to tell you that if you want to be Nairobi governor, you must be an ODM member; if you want to be Nairobi senator, you must also have ODM.” Aladwa added: “No one should think ODM members will support them in 2027 if they are still in other parties. I announce that I will vie for governor in 2027, I will win, and we'll meet at the finish line.”
The party will launch activities to bolster Aladwa's support in the city, including campaigning for his candidate in the Kariobangi North ward by-election, Michael Majua. If Owino opts for ODM, the two will compete in primaries, with the winner taking the ticket.