Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja could soon ditch the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) for the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) as realignments heat up ahead of the 2027 General Election.
During a recent interview on Wednesday, Sakaja confirmed that discussions regarding the potential party swap are actively ongoing, though no formal decision or set timeline has been finalized.
“There is no official timeline for leaving UDA, but the call is there. It is something I am evaluating. We must listen to what the people want if that is their wish, then I am their servant,” Sakaja explained, noting he is widely consulting stakeholders and supporters before making a final move.
The governor revealed that joining ODM is an idea that has been on the table for a while, driven largely by his bond with the late opposition leader Raila Odinga.
Sakaja described Raila as a father figure who personally encouraged him to join the party during their regular conversations prior to his passing. He added that several current ODM officials and members continue to urge him to make the leap.
Sakaja’s revelation comes right on the heels of sharp political jab by Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua. A day earlier, while welcoming defectors including Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan from UDA and Jubilee, Gachagua claimed President William Ruto was losing key allies in the capital.
He asserted that UDA’s political grip on Nairobi is fading rapidly while also dismissing ODM as a shell of its former self.
While Sakaja remains an active member of UDA for now, his open consideration of an ODM switch signals potential major political shifts in Nairobi’s political landscape leading up to 2027.
