Governor Johnson Sakaja has intensified his campaign for the Nairobi County UDA (United Democratic Alliance) chairmanship post, showing a significant lead over his main rival, Embakasi North MP James Gakuya. The latest statistics from the recent constituency elections indicate that Sakaja is well-positioned to secure the chairmanship, putting him ahead of Gakuya.
Gakuya, who is reportedly supported by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, expressed dissatisfaction following last week’s constituency elections, which saw Sakaja taking a comfortable lead. Despite the setbacks, Gakuya won his delegate seat in his constituency but faces a challenging path to capture the county chairmanship after his allies were defeated.
In a show of confidence, Sakaja has been meeting with the 20 elected delegates from each constituency, urging them to avoid divisive politics. “Let us not let tribal politics divide us. We need to create an environment for everyone to thrive regardless of their tribe,” Sakaja emphasized during his meetings.
On Monday, Sakaja met with delegates from Roysambu, Kasarani, Mathare, Ruaraka, Westlands, and Lang’ata. The following day, he continued his engagements with delegates from Makadara, Embakasi East, Dagoretti North, and Kamukunji. His camp celebrated a significant victory, securing 240 out of the 340 UDA delegate seats across 16 constituencies. However, elections in the Starehe constituency were called off due to skirmishes.
Gakuya responded to the election results with a threat of a mass walkout from UDA if he loses to Sakaja. During an interview with Kameme FM on Tuesday, he stated, “If I lose this seat, it will be obvious that we have no place in this party as a community. We shall go ahead and join a new party.”
A potential loss for Gakuya could be seen as a significant setback for Deputy President Gachagua, who has been attempting to strengthen his influence in Nairobi’s politics. Sakaja’s victory could disrupt Gachagua’s plans to establish a firm grip on the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Last week, 1,700 delegates from all 85 wards participated in the ballot to elect constituency leaders, who will subsequently vote for county officials. As the election draws closer, Gakuya has called on members to support his chairmanship bid, while Sakaja continues to promote his vision of inclusive leadership for the stability and prosperity of Nairobi.
Sakaja’s campaign has been focused on fostering unity and avoiding the pitfalls of tribal politics. His message of inclusivity resonates with many in the capital city, positioning him as a strong contender for the Nairobi UDA chairmanship. The outcome of this election will not only determine the leadership of the party in Nairobi but could also have broader implications for the political lands
