MP Zaheer Jhanda Says Sakaja Will Win Nairobi Seat in 2027 but Faces Tough Race From Karauri

Nyaribari Chache MP Zaheer Jhanda has predicted that Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja will win the city’s top seat in the 2027 General Election. He also said the contest will be tough, with Kasarani MP Ronald Karauri as the main challenger.

Mr Jhanda spoke on Tuesday, October 27. Radio 47 also reported that he described Embakasi East MP Babu Owino as unsuitable for the Nairobi governorship. The station’s post did not show his full reasons, and I could not find a longer report of his remarks. Mr Owino had not responded at the time of writing.

Mr Owino has declared that he will run for governor, and he says he will use The Mwananchi Party, which is part of the wider Linda Mwananchi movement. He has said his record managing his constituency shows he can run the county. Mr Karauri, who was elected to Parliament as an independent in 2022, announced his bid in February. Mr Sakaja, who was elected on a UDA ticket, has said he wants to be the first Nairobi governor to win re-election.

Opinion in the race is divided. A Darubini poll reported in May put Mr Sakaja at 48 percent and Mr Owino at 31 percent. An online vote on the Swiss Poll International platform, however, placed Mr Owino first with 34.5 percent and Mr Karauri second with 21.6 percent. Mr Sakaja got 11.6 percent. An online vote is not a scientific survey, and it can differ widely from other polls.

Some leaders and analysts have also given their views. Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru said on October 18 that she doubts Mr Owino can beat Mr Sakaja, citing Nairobi’s mixed population and the influence of young voters. Analyst Herman Manyora has said the incumbent has an advantage, but that Mr Owino, with support from Rigathi Gachagua, would be the only strong challenger.

The race has also become heated in recent days. Mr Sakaja’s lawyers gave Mr Owino a six-hour ultimatum over his remarks about the collapsed Eastleigh building, and Mr Owino has refused to apologise.

Source:https://x.com/Radio47_Kenya/status/2114902327664775466?s=20