NAIROBI, Kenya — Tension is rising in Nairobi’s 2027 gubernatorial race after a public political fallout between former Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria and Makadara MP George Aladwa.
Just days ago, Kuria unveiled Aladwa as his proposed running mate for the 2027 Nairobi governor seat, promoting what he described as a cross-party “dream team” poised to “make Nairobi work again.”
However, on Tuesday, Aladwa publicly rejected the overture, declaring that he will instead vie for the top seat on the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket. “I will not be Moses Kuria’s deputy,” Aladwa said, stressing his intent to run independently for governor.
The rejection triggered a sharp response from Kuria, who accused “holders of extremely powerful offices” of summoning and pressuring Aladwa to denounce their alleged deal.
In a post on social media, Kuria said he respects Aladwa’s decision but called on these unnamed forces to “relax,” insisting his ambition to lead Nairobi remains alive. He added that the public break revealed their “2027 game plan.”
Kuria argued that Nairobi is in dire need of decisive leadership, citing ongoing issues — poor sanitation, failing infrastructure, and mismanagement — which, he says, the pair was prepared to address together.
Aladwa’s rejection effectively dissolves the proposed alliance and places him among a growing field of challengers lining up against the incumbent Johnson Sakaja.
The public and fractious fallout highlights deepening fissures as politicians and powerful backers jockey for influence in the capital ahead of 2027 — a race already shaping up to be among Kenya’s most contested and unpredictable.
