NAIROBI, Kenya — In a bold political move, Moses Kuria has declared his intention to run for Governor of Nairobi County in 2027, stating that recent remarks by President William Ruto about the capital’s dire state have compelled him to step forward.
In a message posted on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Kuria addressed the President directly:
“Dear President William Ruto. Today you spoke to my heart. Like Prime Minister Baba Raila Amolo Odinga has told me countless times, Nairobi cannot continue to be the city of filth, garbage and incompetence. I have heard your cry. That is why I will offer myself to be the governor of the great county of Nairobi in 2027. I will fix Nairobi.”
Kuria’s announcement comes in the wake of President Ruto’s public rebuke of service delivery failures in Nairobi during a meeting with Nairobi MPs and Governor Johnson Sakaja.
The President had warned that the capital’s image is at stake, and said his administration was finalising a partnership with the private sector to overhaul waste management across city estates.
The former economic adviser to President Ruto particularly frames his candidacy as a response to systemic mismanagement, promising to restore dignity and functionality to Nairobi’s administration. Reports indicate he plans to challenge Governor Sakaja, who is viewed by many as the incumbent standard-bearer.
Reactions from political observers have been swift. Some see Kuria’s bid as an attempt to stake a more prominent role in the 2027 electoral chessboard, aligning with earlier moves — such as reviving his party Chama Cha Kazi (CCK) and fielding candidates in recent by-elections.
Others note potential tension within the Kenya Kwanza coalition: Kuria’s break from the ruling bloc earlier this year and emerging overtures to Rigathi Gachagua suggest his Nairobi ambitions may be part of a broader realignment.
Kuria’s path is far from assured. He will need to build political machinery capable of competing in Nairobi’s highly competitive electorate — one marked by urban demographics, infrastructure issues, and complex voter expectations.
Moreover, he must convincingly explain how he would handle Nairobi’s entrenched problems: solid waste management, drainage and flooding, urban planning, infrastructure maintenance, and service delivery shortfalls. His promise to “fix Nairobi” will be measured against concrete policy proposals and feasibility.
In the coming weeks, attention will turn to whether Kuria’s declaration carries institutional support from party cadres, alliances, and influential actors and whether it signals a serious challenge to Sakaja’s hold on Nairobi.
