Nairobi governor contest heats up as Makadara MP George Aladwa enters race
At a meeting chaired by Kisii Governor Simba Arati, one of the three ODM deputy party leaders, the leaders announced that ODM tickets would only be given to bona fide members.
The contest for the Nairobi City County gubernatorial position in the 2027 General Election is heating up following the entry of Makadara MP George Aladwa into the race.
Aladwa’s vast experience in the city's politics is touted to make the race interesting, at least according to observers.
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Aladwa’s entry complicates matters for Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja in the event he may vie for a second term as Nairobi governor.
The Nairobi ODM branch has already announced that it will field a candidate in the 2027 elections to regain the governorship, a position the party has not held since 2013, when Dr Evans Kidero was City Hall boss.
Sakaja was elected on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket, but has recently been leaning towards the ODM, particularly since the death of its leader, Raila Odinga, this month.
At a meeting chaired by Kisii Governor Simba Arati, one of the three ODM deputy party leaders, the leaders announced that ODM tickets would only be given to bona fide members.
“I want to indicate that all the elective posts, especially this Nairobi. If you want to be the governor, you must be in ODM. If you want to be the senator of Nairobi, you must remain in ODM,” Governor Arati said.
This comes amid questions over the endorsement of Governor Sakaja in March this year at the Bomas of Kenya. Governor Sakaja was endorsed by Raila, who said that he was doing well in governing the city.
However, George Aladwa, the Makadara Member of Parliament and ODM Nairobi County branch chairperson, has now said that he would vie for the governor’s seat.
Aladwa announced that the party will launch several initiatives to bolster its support in the city, including supporting its candidate in the Kariobangi North Ward by-election.
“If you want any seat in Nairobi, you must be an ODM member. Let no one think that ODM members will support them in 2027 when they are still in other parties. I have declared that I will run for the Nairobi governor seat in 2027. We will claim the seat, and let’s meet in the ballot with those who are also interested in it,” Aladwa said.
Following the late Raila's endorsement, Sakaja enjoyed the support of the ODM MCAs in the Nairobi County Assembly.
The ODM MCAs, who are the majority, said that they were doing so in respect to the decision that their late leader made.
The impeachment process against Sakaja was only stopped after the intervention of President William Ruto and the late Raila, who convinced the MCAs from both the ODM and UDA parties to halt it.
The Makadara MP’s declaration makes him the second ODM MP to declare an interest in the seat, after Embakasi East MP Babu Owino said he would be seeking to unseat Governor Sakaja.
ODM party leader Oburu Oginga last week met and held talks with Babu Owino, after publicly disclosing that he was looking for him.
Oburu, who took over the leadership of the party following the passing of his brother Raila Odinga, seeks to quell perceived divisions and tensions within the political outfit.
Taking to social media after the meeting, the new ODM chief praised the Embakasi East MP – who has his eyes set on the Nairobi gubernatorial seat in the 2027 polls – for his “vibrant energy and determination.”
“This morning, I held an official meeting with Babu Owino. Our discussion centred on strengthening unity and inclusivity within the ODM party,” wrote Oburu.
“Babu Owino symbolises the vibrant energy and determination of our youth. He has a promising future, and we are together.”
Babu has, in the recent past, been perceived as a rebel, following his remarks that he was aware of a plot to deny him the ODM ticket in favour of another aspirant from a rival party in the race to City Hall in 2027.
Oburu, however, on Tuesday sought to dispel this claim and reassure the Embakasi East MP that his fears are unfounded.
Speaking during an interview on Ramogi TV, Dr Oburu said he does not see any problem with Babu’s ambition and dismissed talk that the party could deny him the ticket should he win the nominations.
“I do not see anything wrong with Babu Owino, although I hear there are some issues that may be troubling him,” Dr Oburu said.
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