With less than a year to the 2027 elections, the battle for the Nairobi gubernatorial seat is intensifying, attracting several candidates who are making various promises to lure voters. Already, about six candidates have expressed interest in the Capital city's top seat, hopeful of emerging as the fourth governor of Nairobi. The recent entry of Nairobi Chief Officer for Customer Care Geoffrey Mosiria into the race could turn out to be a significant development.
Mosiria announced his interest in unseating Governor Johnson Sakaja on October 5, 2026, who had initially appointed him as Chief Officer for Health after the 2022 elections. Mosiria revealed that former Governor Mike Sonko has tasked him with organizing a meeting with Dr. Fred Matiang'i, the Jubilee Party Leader, to officially give him direction and possibly endorse his candidature for Governor of Nairobi.
Mosiria has been showcasing his activities as Chief Officer, including frequent inspections at public health facilities in the city, which reportedly ruffled feathers among some allies close to Governor Sakaja. He was later moved from the Health docket to Environment and then to Customer Care Services, a decision believed to be a demotion. Sources at City Hall suggest a nasty fallout between Mosiria and Sakaja, with indications that former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko is backing Mosiria to unseat Sakaja.
According to sources, the friction between Mosiria and Sakaja started when Mosiria was perceived to be trying to outshine the governor. Mosiria's organization of end-of-year Sabbath events at KICC and being named as spokesperson for his community also contributed to the fallout. Sakaja reportedly attended the first event in 2023 but skipped the last two, followed by the reassignment of Mosiria twice in about one year.
Mosiria has become a common figure online, commenting on issues beyond his docket, and is known for his road safety and philanthropic efforts. Political analyst Phillip Chebunet observes that Mosiria has built a recognizable personal brand around City Hall visibility, service delivery, and grassroots engagement. However, Chebunet argues that Mosiria's gubernatorial prospects will depend on whether he can translate that popularity into a strong Nairobi-wide political network.
Mosiria's track record as Chief Officer includes responding to the needs of the people, and he claims that he is not forcing himself on the people but rather answering their call. He also stated that he respects his current boss but cannot ignore the call of the people of Nairobi. Mosiria's activities have become intense, and he has become a common figure in Nairobi estates, responding to calls from residents reporting noisy clubs and churches.
The fallout between Mosiria and Sakaja has been ongoing for about three years, with Sakaja reassigning Mosiria several times. While Sakaja did not respond to inquiries about his relationship with Mosiria, Mosiria did not confirm or deny the fallout. Mosiria's gubernatorial bid will likely face significant challenges, but his popularity and visibility at City Hall could make him a contender in the 2027 elections.
Key points
- Mosiria's entry into the Nairobi gubernatorial race could be a classic case of an employee seeking to displace his boss.
- Mosiria has built a recognizable personal brand around City Hall visibility, service delivery, and grassroots engagement.
- The friction between Mosiria and Sakaja started when Mosiria was perceived to be trying to outshine the governor.
