By the 254.ke Newsroom
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has left the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and joined the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), saying he will seek a second term in August 2027 on the ODM ticket. He was received on Monday, 2 November 2026, at the party’s Chungwa House headquarters by senior officials led by Deputy Party Leader Simba Arati. ODM has said, however, that he is not guaranteed the ticket and must go through its nomination process.
What did Sakaja say, and when did the move happen?
Sakaja announced the switch at a media briefing at Chungwa House on Monday. It ended months of speculation about which party he would use in 2027. He was elected governor in August 2022 on a UDA ticket, defeating Jubilee’s Polycarp Igathe.
The decision followed a rally on Saturday, 31 October, at Jacaranda Grounds in Nairobi, one of the events held to remember the late Raila Odinga (see our memorial programme report). There, Sakaja asked the crowd whether he should align with UDA, ODM or the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP). When the crowd urged him to choose ODM, he asked, “What do you say, should I join ODM?” and told the party leadership, “you will guide me.”
He had first said publicly on 26 August that senior ODM figures had approached him. In August he also described the late Raila Odinga as being “like my father,” according to Kenyans.co.ke.
Key facts at a glance
- Who: Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, formerly UDA
- Where: Chungwa House, ODM headquarters, Nairobi
- When: Monday, 2 November 2026
- Welcomed by: ODM Deputy Party Leader Simba Arati and other senior officials
- Next step: competitive ODM primaries; no guaranteed direct nomination
Is Sakaja guaranteed the ODM governor ticket?
No. ODM has said a direct nomination is not guaranteed and that all aspirants must go through competitive primaries, Pulse Kenya reported. The party argues it is the biggest in the capital and must field a candidate for every elective post, including governor. ODM had courted Sakaja for months, saying he stood a better chance of re-election on an ODM ticket than a UDA one. Suna East MP Junet Mohammed said at an event in Kileleshwa Ward that if Sakaja stayed where he was, “nobody will elect him.”
Who else wants the Nairobi governor seat?
Several names have surfaced in ODM and allied circles, according to reports by Mwakilishi and Pulse Kenya:
- Embakasi East MP Paul Ongili, popularly known as Babu Owino, who has declared interest in the governorship
- Makadara MP George Aladwa, who has also positioned himself for the ticket
- Kasarani MP Ronald Karauri, who has declared and is focusing on infrastructure and service delivery
- Geoffrey Mosiria, a former Nairobi county chief officer who has declared (Sakaja sacked him in October)
- Embakasi North MP James Gakuya, linked to the race through DCP
Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai has publicly questioned whether ODM should accommodate Sakaja, arguing the party should nurture its own leaders.
The ODM ticket is only part of the picture. Other Nairobi contests are already forming; see who is running for the Senate seat in Winnie Odinga’s Nairobi Senate bid.
Who is Johnson Sakaja?
Sakaja was nominated to the National Assembly in 2013, where he chaired the Labour and Social Welfare Committee until 2017. He then served as Nairobi senator from 2017 to 2022 before winning the governorship. He has also represented African cities on the steering committee of the C40 climate network.
Frequently asked questions
Has Sakaja officially joined ODM?
Yes. He was formally received at Chungwa House on 2 November 2026 and announced the move himself.
Will Sakaja automatically be ODM’s candidate for Nairobi governor?
No. ODM says aspirants, including defectors, must go through competitive primaries.
When is the next general election?
Kenya’s next general election is scheduled for August 2027. Voter and candidate rules are published by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Why did Sakaja leave UDA?
He has not given a detailed reason beyond saying he will defend his seat on the ODM ticket and following what he described as the crowd’s wish. ODM has argued he would have a better chance of re-election on its ticket.
Sources: Kenyans.co.ke, Pulse Kenya and Mwakilishi, all 2 November 2026. This story will be updated as ODM announces its nomination timetable.
