Dr. Davji Atellah, the National Secretary General and CEO of the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Doctors and Dentists Union (KMPDU), has announced his intention to run for the Lang’ata parliamentary seat in the 2027 General Election. Atellah, who has been representing doctors for 15 years, believes his experience in the medical field has equipped him to tackle healthcare, education, jobs, and other public-service issues from Parliament. His entry into politics comes as the Lang’ata parliamentary seat takes shape ahead of the 2027 election.
The current MP, Phelix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang’o, has expressed his intention to seek the Nairobi Senate seat instead of defending Lang’ata. Additionally, South C MCA Ibrahim Abbas Khalif is also seeking to move to Parliament. Atellah’s decision to contest the seat is based on his understanding of the importance of parliamentary representation in addressing the challenges faced by workers and ordinary citizens. He believes that many of the problems he has encountered while representing doctors can only be addressed through legislation, budgets, and parliamentary oversight.
Atellah has already engaged residents and more than 1,000 young people in the constituency as he builds his campaign. He says he will contest on the ODM ticket. Lang’ata has five wards—Karen, Nairobi West, Mugumoini, South C, and Nyayo Highrise—and had a population of 197,489 in the 2019 census. The constituency has a rich history, having produced several prominent political figures, including former Vice-President Joseph Murumbi, Philip Leakey, Mwangi Maathai, and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
For Atellah, the bid also carries a personal connection to the constituency. He says he was born in Gatwekera in Kibera and lived there until 2000 before moving to stay with his grandparents. He later trained as a doctor and continued living in Lang’ata. Atellah says support from the constituency helped him pursue his education, while his brother, now a doctor in the United States, received assistance from the Children of Kibera Foundation.
Atellah’s agenda will include helping young people identify opportunities in teaching, the military, police service, technical and vocational education, and other institutions. He aims to ensure that existing organizations within the wards can identify youths and support them in accessing various opportunities. Atellah’s years representing doctors have convinced him that strong parliamentary representation is central to addressing problems affecting workers and citizens.
Atellah served as a KMPDU branch secretary from 2015 to 2021 before becoming secretary general, a position he has held for six years. He was re-elected to another five-year term in April 2026 after emerging unopposed. His experience in the medical field has taught him the importance of engaging lawmakers on policies and budget decisions, especially those affecting the health sector.
Atellah’s entry into politics is seen as a significant development in the Lang’ata constituency. His experience and expertise in the medical field are expected to bring a new perspective to the parliamentary seat. The 2027 General Election is expected to be a crucial one, with various political alignments and party tickets still subject to change. Atellah’s bid for the Lang’ata seat will likely be closely watched by political observers and residents of the constituency.
Key points
- Dr. Davji Atellah, KMPDU Secretary General, has declared his intention to contest the Lang’ata parliamentary seat on an ODM ticket in the 2027 General Election.
