Nairobi Residents Urge Sakaja to Join ODM, Governor Asks Party Leadership to Heed Their Call

Nairobi residents urged Governor Johnson Sakaja to join ODM after he asked them to choose the political party he should align himself with ahead of the 2027 electionsSakaja presented UDA, DCP and ODM as possible options, with sections of the crowd raising their hands when he asked who wanted him to join the orange partyThe governor also challenged ODM to uphold Raila Odinga's legacy by defending ordinary Kenyans, promoting social justice and rejecting tribal politicsSearch option is now available at TUKO! Feel free to search the content on topics/people you enjoy reading about in the top right corner 😉

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has been urged to join the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) after asking residents to choose the political party he should align himself with ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja addresses an ODM rally at Jacaranda Grounds on Saturday, October 31. Photos: Johnson Sakaja. Source: FacebookSakaja put his political future to the crowd during the final memorial event in honour of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, held at Jacaranda Grounds in Nairobi.

The governor asked residents to choose between the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) and ODM, drawing enthusiastic responses from supporters of the different political outfits.

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He reminded the gathering that Nairobi residents had elected him first as senator and later as governor despite their differing political affiliations, adding that even ODM supporters had backed his previous campaigns.

He then asked the crowd which party they wanted him to join, specifically seeking to know whether they preferred UDA, DCP or ODM.

When he asked how many wanted him to join ODM, sections of the crowd raised their hands and called on him to align himself with the opposition party.

Responding to the calls, Sakaja invoked the popular saying that the voice of the people is the voice of God and appeared to leave the decision open for further discussions with ODM leaders.

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Although Sakaja did not announce a decision to leave his current political formation, the exchange offered a glimpse into the political choices facing the governor as the 2027 elections approach.

Beyond the question of party affiliation, Sakaja challenged ODM to preserve the values championed by Raila, particularly defending disadvantaged Kenyans, promoting social justice and rejecting tribal politics.

He said remembering the former prime minister should go beyond commemorating him and should involve speaking out whenever ordinary citizens face economic difficulties.

The governor also called for national cohesion, warning politicians against exploiting ethnic differences for political gain.

He maintained that Nairobi should remain a city where Kenyans from different communities can live, work and pursue opportunities without discrimination based on their backgrounds.

His remarks came as political alignments ahead of the 2027 General Election continue to attract attention, with the governor's exchange with Nairobi residents adding to speculation about his next political move.

Harry Ivan Mboto (Current affairs editor) Harry Ivan Mboto is an accredited journalist with the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) and a Current Affairs and Politics Editor at TUKO.co.ke. He is a Linguistics, Media, and Communication student at Moi University and has five years of experience in digital journalism. Have a news tip, query, or feedback? Reach him at: harry.ivan@tuko.co.ke.