 Director of Elections Junet Mohamed has challenged Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja to join his party){kind=link}
NAIROBI, Kenya — Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Director of Elections Junet Mohamed has challenged Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja to join the party if he hopes to secure a second term in the 2027 General Election, insisting that the capital remains an ODM stronghold.
Speaking during an empowerment event in Kileleshwa on Sunday, the Suna East MP said ODM would only consider supporting Sakaja’s re-election bid if he defects from the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
“If Sakaja still wants to be re-elected as Nairobi governor in 2027, he should come to ODM. If he chooses to remain where he is, he will wait until Jesus returns and nobody will elect him,” Junet said.
The remarks come amid continued political realignments ahead of the 2027 General Election, with parties positioning themselves for key contests in Nairobi and across the country.
ODM Targets Nairobi Seats
Junet maintained that ODM intends to field candidates for all elective positions in Nairobi, expressing confidence that the party will retain its influence in the county.
He dismissed suggestions that the ongoing political cooperation between ODM and UDA would automatically translate into the Orange party backing Sakaja for another term.
“We want ODM to win every elective seat in Nairobi. If Sakaja does not join ODM, we will not support him because we have our own candidate for governor,” he said.
The legislator added that the individual the party is considering for the gubernatorial race is not Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, despite the lawmaker having publicly declared his interest in contesting the seat.
Political Calculations Ahead of 2027
Junet’s remarks add to growing speculation over Nairobi’s gubernatorial contest, which is expected to be one of the country’s most competitive races in 2027.
Calls for Sakaja to join ODM are not new. In 2025, a section of ODM leaders publicly urged the governor to defect from UDA, arguing that joining the Orange party would strengthen his chances of retaining the county’s top seat.
Sakaja, however, has remained a senior UDA figure and has not publicly indicated any intention to leave the ruling party.
The Nairobi governor has also not responded to Junet’s latest remarks. As political parties continue to reorganise ahead of the next election, Nairobi is expected to remain a key battleground, with major parties seeking to consolidate support in the country’s largest voting bloc.