NAIROBI, Kenya — Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris has said Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku would receive her vote in the 2027 Nairobi governor race, arguing that Governor Johnson Sakaja’s move to ODM does not guarantee him re-election.
Passaris said Nairobians, not political parties, would decide who takes over City Hall after the August 10, 2027 General Election.
Her comments come days after Governor Sakaja left the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and joined the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), where he is expected to seek the party’s ticket for a second term.
“Nairobi just got more interesting,” Passaris said, adding that Sakaja’s entry into ODM did not hand him the Nairobi governorship.
“That decision belongs to Nairobians,” she said.
Ruku gets Passaris backing
The Nairobi Woman Representative praised CS Ruku’s record in public service and disaster response, describing him as a hands-on and decisive leader who could offer the city a different style of administration.
Passaris said Nairobi required an administrator who would be visible, take charge of service delivery and act decisively on the city’s challenges.
“I’ve watched CS Geoffrey Ruku handle Special Programmes and disaster response. His energy, decisiveness and hands-on leadership are exactly the qualities Nairobi needs,” she said.
Passaris said she had once hoped to become Nairobi mayor in 2007 and retained a strong interest in the city’s development and leadership.
“CS Geoffrey Ruku, if elections were held today, you would have my vote,” she said.
Ruku has signalled that he intends to contest the Nairobi governor seat on a UDA ticket, setting up a possible contest with Sakaja and a growing list of aspirants from different political parties.
Sakaja faces ODM nomination test
Governor Sakaja’s entry into ODM has reshaped the early contest for Nairobi’s top seat, but it has also opened questions about the party’s nomination process.
The governor will have to compete for the ODM ticket against other aspirants interested in the seat, including leaders who have built their political profiles within the party.
Kasarani MP Ronald Karauri and Makadara MP George Aladwa are among politicians linked to the ODM nomination contest, while other candidates are expected to seek tickets from rival parties.
Passaris said no candidate should regard Nairobi as guaranteed territory before voters have made their choice.
“No candidate owns Nairobi. Every vote must be earned, every promise must count, and every leader must be accountable,” she said.
Criticism of City Hall leadership
Passaris also criticised the county’s leadership record, saying President William Ruto had often been forced to step into areas she believes should be handled by Nairobi County.
She described President Ruto as having become Nairobi’s “de facto Governor,” an assessment reflecting her view that county leadership had not adequately delivered on some key responsibilities.
The Nairobi Woman Representative said a well-governed capital city would strengthen President Ruto’s administration and benefit residents and businesses that rely on Nairobi every day.
“A well-governed Nairobi would be a tremendous asset to President Ruto and to every Kenyan who calls this city home,” she said.
The emerging Nairobi governor contest is expected to focus heavily on service delivery, including housing, roads, waste management, healthcare, transport and the management of public spaces.
“Let the best candidate win. Nairobi deserves nothing less,” she said.
