SAKaja’s UDA EXIT SHAKES NAIROBI POLITICS: ODM WELCOMES GOVERNOR AS 2027 BATTLE TAKES A NEW TURN

 Sakaja’s entry into ODM has opened a new chapter in Nairobi’s political contest, but the governor’s biggest challenge may not be leaving UDA—it could be convincing the Orange party’s established leaders to support his second-term ambitions.

By CivicLens Gazette | November 2, 2026

Nairobi’s political landscape has taken a dramatic turn after Governor Johnson Sakaja officially ditched the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) for the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), setting the stage for a potentially explosive contest ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The move, which was formalised on Monday, November 2, at ODM headquarters in Nairobi, marks a significant shift for a governor who rose to City Hall on a UDA ticket in 2022. But beyond the headlines surrounding his defection, Sakaja’s decision has opened a deeper political question: Can he secure the ODM ticket and convince the party’s established leadership that he deserves another shot at the Nairobi gubernatorial seat?

Sakaja was received at Chungwa House by senior ODM leaders, including Deputy Party Leaders Simba Arati and Hassan Joho, National Chairperson Gladys Wanga and National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed.

The reception was more than a symbolic welcome. It marked the beginning of a new political chapter for the Nairobi governor, whose future has increasingly become intertwined with the shifting alliances shaping Kenya’s 2027 elections.

For Sakaja, the immediate objective appears clear. He wants to defend his seat. But the political road ahead may be far from straightforward.

Sakaja makes his intentions clear

During his reception at Chungwa House, Sakaja made it clear that his decision to join ODM was not an attempt to displace existing party members or take over their political positions.

The governor declared his intention to seek a second term in office, signalling that he views ODM as the political vehicle through which he intends to pursue his re-election bid.

He also acknowledged the ambitions of Makadara MP George Aladwa, who has been associated with the Nairobi gubernatorial contest.

Sakaja’s remarks appeared carefully calculated to avoid an immediate confrontation with the party’s established leadership. By publicly acknowledging Aladwa’s ambitions, the governor sought to present himself as a leader willing to engage rather than impose himself on the party.

However, the real test will come when ODM begins determining who will carry its flag in Nairobi.

Joining a political party is one thing. Securing its nomination for one of the most powerful county positions in the country is another.

From UDA to ODM: A political journey shaped by Nairobi’s realities

Sakaja’s relationship with ODM has not been entirely new.

Since taking office in 2022, the governor has had to navigate a County Assembly where ODM has maintained significant political influence. His working relationship with ODM leaders has therefore been an important part of his administration’s political calculations.

In August 2026, Sakaja confirmed that ODM officials, including elected leaders and party representatives, had approached him and encouraged him to join the party.

At the time, he said consultations were ongoing and had not publicly committed to an immediate departure from UDA.

The governor’s appearance at the ODM rally held at Jacaranda Grounds on October 31 further fuelled speculation about his political direction.

Two days later, the speculation became reality.

His formal entry into ODM now places him within a party whose political influence in Nairobi could prove valuable as the 2027 campaign approaches.

Yet the decision also exposes him to a new set of political expectations. ODM members will want to know what his entry means for their own ambitions, while Nairobi residents will be watching to see whether the governor’s political realignment translates into tangible improvements in service delivery.

The Raila Odinga factor

Sakaja has attributed part of his decision to the influence of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

The governor said Raila had encouraged him to join ODM, describing the former opposition leader as a father figure whose political principles influenced his decision.

According to Sakaja, the values associated with Raila’s political movement—including social justice, devolution, human rights and social democracy—were among the reasons behind his decision.

The reference to Raila is politically significant.

For years, ODM has built a strong political identity around the former Prime Minister and his influence across Kenya’s political landscape. Sakaja’s invocation of Raila’s legacy could help him connect with sections of the party’s supporters.

However, the question remains whether the late leader’s influence will be enough to overcome resistance from members who believe the party should prioritise candidates who have remained loyal to ODM over the years.

Sakaja’s entry has placed that question directly before the party.

George Aladwa and the looming ODM nomination battle

Perhaps the most delicate issue surrounding Sakaja’s defection is the position of George Aladwa.

The Makadara MP and Nairobi ODM chairman has been linked to the gubernatorial contest, making him a potentially formidable challenger should the party conduct competitive nominations.

Reports published by The Standard in September indicated that Nairobi ODM delegates had opposed attempts to hand Sakaja the party ticket, with some backing Aladwa instead.

That development exposed the divisions that could emerge as ODM prepares for the 2027 elections.

For established party members, Sakaja’s entry raises questions about political loyalty, grassroots structures and the influence of leaders who have spent years building the party.

For Sakaja, the challenge is to convince ODM that his incumbency, political networks and electoral experience make him a strong candidate.

The governor has indicated that he intends to engage Aladwa rather than simply dismiss his ambitions.

ODM Deputy Party Leader Simba Arati has also publicly committed the party to fair and competitive nominations.

That assurance will be important.

A nomination process perceived as favouring Sakaja could trigger internal resistance and potentially weaken the party’s mobilisation efforts in Nairobi.

On the other hand, a genuinely competitive process could help ODM establish a candidate with a stronger grassroots mandate.

The nomination question is therefore likely to remain one of the central political issues in Nairobi as the election approaches.

Sakaja's continued support for William Ruto

One of the most intriguing aspects of the defection is Sakaja’s position on President William Ruto.

Despite leaving UDA, the governor has indicated that he will continue supporting the President.

His remarks suggest that he does not view his move to ODM as a complete break with Ruto or the broader political arrangement between the two parties.

This creates an unusual political situation.

Sakaja was elected governor on a UDA ticket, has now joined ODM, and still intends to support Ruto’s presidential ambitions.

The development reflects the increasingly complex alliances shaping Kenya’s political environment.

The traditional distinction between government and opposition has become less straightforward, particularly following the emergence of the broad-based government arrangement involving leaders from both political camps.

For Nairobi, this could mean that the 2027 gubernatorial contest will not necessarily follow the same political divisions as the presidential race.

Sakaja may seek to maintain relationships across both political formations while positioning himself as the preferred candidate for City Hall.

Whether that strategy will resonate with voters remains to be seen.

What Sakaja’s departure means for UDA

Sakaja’s exit represents a significant political development for UDA in Nairobi.

The governor was one of the party’s most prominent elected leaders in the capital, having secured the City Hall seat in the 2022 General Election.

His departure raises questions about UDA’s ability to maintain its political influence in Nairobi as the 2027 campaign gathers momentum.

However, it would be premature to conclude that the party has lost Nairobi.

Sakaja’s continued support for Ruto complicates the situation, suggesting that the governor’s departure may be more about his own political future than a complete breakdown in relations between the two sides.

The President’s supporters will nevertheless be watching closely.

A sitting governor leaving the party under which he was elected could become a talking point for political rivals seeking to portray UDA as losing ground in the capital.

The extent of the political damage will ultimately depend on how Nairobi’s other leaders position themselves and whether UDA can build a credible alternative gubernatorial campaign.

The 2027 Nairobi race is getting more interesting

Sakaja’s defection has added another layer of uncertainty to the already competitive Nairobi gubernatorial contest.

Several political figures have been associated with the race, including George Aladwa, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Kasarani MP Ronald Karauri and other aspirants.

Their political affiliations and ambitions could evolve as the election draws closer.

For Sakaja, the advantage of incumbency remains important. He has occupied City Hall since 2022 and has had the opportunity to establish a political profile among Nairobi residents.

But incumbency also comes with scrutiny.

His administration’s performance on transport, waste management, infrastructure, water access, revenue collection and public services is likely to feature prominently in the campaign.

Opponents will have an opportunity to question his record, while supporters will be expected to defend the achievements of his administration.

The political conversation will therefore extend beyond party affiliation.

Nairobi residents will ultimately be asked to consider whether the governor has delivered sufficiently to deserve another term.

A new party, but the same political test

Sakaja’s decision to join ODM has undoubtedly changed the political calculations surrounding Nairobi’s 2027 gubernatorial contest.

His entry gives ODM a sitting governor with an established public profile, while giving Sakaja access to a party with a significant political network in the capital.

But the move does not automatically settle the nomination question.

The party must still reconcile the ambitions of its established members with those of a governor seeking re-election.

The relationship between Sakaja and Aladwa will be particularly important in determining how the Nairobi contest unfolds.

At the same time, Sakaja’s continued support for William Ruto introduces another dimension to the political equation, raising questions about how national alliances will influence local electoral contests.

The coming months could prove decisive.

For now, Sakaja has made his move. He has left UDA, entered ODM and declared his intention to defend the Nairobi gubernatorial seat.

The bigger political battle, however, may only be beginning.

Will ODM’s established leaders embrace Sakaja as the party’s preferred candidate for Nairobi governor, or will the governor find himself fighting for the ticket against the very party members he has now joined?

That is the question Nairobi’s political establishment—and its voters—will be watching closely.

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