A section of United Democratic Alliance ( UDA) in have slammed Governor Johnson Sakaja’s move to join the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), declaring that they will not surrender the capital’s gubernatorial race to their broadbased partners.
The leaders have also dismissed claims that Sakaja’s move could weaken UDA in Nairobi, insisting that the party remains strong and will field candidates for all elective positions in the 2027 General Election.
Their declaration signals the possibility of a fierce political contest between UDA and ODM, if Sakaja bags the ODM party ticket to defend his seat.
Speaking in Nairobi, the UDA leaders, led by politician Chapia Chapia, nominated MCA Cecilia Wairimu and UDA Youth Leader and Nairobi Grassroots Mobiliser Triza Miroyo, maintained that the party was not intimidated by Sakaja’s decision.
“The party still has over two million supporters and, as of now, we have over 2,500 aspirants for MCA seats in the 85 wards and over 350 aspirants for MP seats in the 17 constituencies,” Chapia Chapia said.
He insisted that UDA would field a gubernatorial candidate and candidates for all other elective positions, dismissing suggestions that Sakaja’s exit would leave the party without a political foothold in Nairobi.
Nominated MCA Cecilia Wairimu echoed the sentiments, saying the party was determined to retain its influence in the capital and compete for the county’s top leadership positions.
“We will have a Governor, a senator, the Woman Representative and the majority of elected leaders coming from this party,” Wairimu said.
They said that the party will identify a gubernatorial candidate with sufficient grassroots appeal, political experience and the capacity to consolidate support across Nairobi’s 17 constituencies.
They said that the party is ready to build its campaign around a different political figure and work hard to retain the support it enjoyed in 2022.
This comes even as some ODM MCAs have welcomed the move by Sakaja, noting that it presents an opportunity to strengthen the party’s position in the capital by bringing an incumbent governor into its political fold.
Sakaja will have to deal with Makadara MP George Aladwa, who is ODM’s Nairobi chairman and has expressed interest in the gubernatorial seat.
However, according to Triza Miroyo who is the UDA Youth Leader and Nairobi Grassroots Mobilizer,UDA will not retreat from Nairobi politics and it’s ready to face its opponents at the ballot in 2027.
She insisted that the party remained alive, organised and prepared to defend its political presence in the capital.
