NAIROBI, Kenya- Bishop Margaret Wanjiru has declared her bid to become Nairobi governor in the 2027 General Election, seeking to contest on the Kenya Moja party, popularly identified by its K1 symbol.
Wanjiru made the announcement during a Sunday service at Jesus Is Alive Ministries in Nairobi, where she framed her candidature as a call to public service rather than a personal political ambition.
“This is not a personal ambition. It is a call to serve. And today I am answering and committing to that call,” Wanjiru said.
She said her campaign would focus on restoring dignity, order, accountability and opportunities for Nairobi residents, arguing that the capital requires leadership that can be trusted with public resources.
“The people of this county want a leader whom they can trust with their resources. Someone who is firm, transparent, honest and dependable,” she said.
K1 moves into opposition
Wanjiru’s announcement comes alongside a broader political repositioning by Kenya Moja, which she said is aligning with the opposition ahead of the 2027 elections.
She also invited Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and other political leaders to work with K1, saying the city was ready for what she described as meaningful change.
The move follows Wanjiru’s resignation as chairperson of the Nairobi Rivers Commission. She announced her resignation on August 13 and indicated that she would leave the position at the end of August after about 20 months in office.
In her resignation letter to Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, Wanjiru said she was ready to move on and give her full attention to other work.
She also thanked President William Ruto for the opportunity to lead the commission.
Wanjiru returns to elective politics
The Nairobi governor race marks Wanjiru’s return to a major elective contest.
She previously represented Starehe Constituency in Parliament after winning the seat in 2007. She served until 2013 and also held an Assistant Minister position in the Grand Coalition Government.
Her latest declaration sets the stage for another potentially competitive Nairobi gubernatorial contest, with several political figures expected to position themselves ahead of the 2027 polls.
Wanjiru’s decision to run on the K1 ticket also gives Kenya Moja a prominent candidate as it seeks to establish itself in Nairobi politics and attract support from leaders outside the established political parties.
