More than 20 Orange Democratic Movement Members of the County Assembly in Nairobi have publicly backed Makadara MP George Aladwa for the Nairobi governorship ahead of the 2027 General Election. The MCAs, led by Geoffrey Majiwa, made the unanimous declaration, stating that Aladwa had personally reached out to them for support, a move no other aspirant had made. This endorsement adds pressure to the broad-based government arrangement between ODM and UDA over the Nairobi seat.
The endorsement was made public by Baba Dogo Ward representative Geoffrey Majiwa, who stated that the assembled MCAs were fully committed to campaigning for Aladwa, a two-term legislator who previously served as Mayor of the now-defunct City Council of Nairobi. Majiwa emphasized that Aladwa had demonstrated the capacity to lead the capital city, making him the preferred candidate for the ODM party.
Aladwa had earlier declared his intention to challenge incumbent Governor Johnson Sakaja, who holds the seat on a United Democratic Alliance ticket. With this formal party-level support from ODM MCAs, the two coalition partners may need to negotiate over whether to field a joint candidate for the Nairobi governorship. Earlier reports suggested Sakaja was considering defending his seat on an ODM ticket, but that approach appears to have been shelved.
The endorsement introduces a new layer of complexity to the broad-based government arrangement under which ODM and UDA have maintained political cooperation. This development may force the two parties to re-evaluate their strategy for the Nairobi governorship. Aladwa enters an increasingly crowded field, with other MPs who have signaled interest in the governorship, including James Gakuya of Embakasi North, Ronald Karauri of Kasarani, and Babu Owino of Embakasi East.
According to Majiwa, Aladwa is the only aspirant who has directly approached the ODM MCAs seeking support. This direct approach has earned him the backing of the party members, who believe he has the capacity to lead Nairobi. The MCAs' endorsement is a significant boost to Aladwa's campaign, as he seeks to challenge incumbent Governor Sakaja.
The implications of this endorsement are far-reaching, as it may affect the dynamics of the 2027 Nairobi gubernatorial race. With Aladwa now receiving formal party-level support from ODM MCAs, his chances of securing the party's nomination have increased. The endorsement also puts pressure on other aspirants, including Governor Sakaja, who must now contend with a strong opponent.
The Nairobi governorship is a highly contested seat, with several aspirants vying for the position. Aladwa's endorsement by ODM MCAs has added a new dimension to the race, and it remains to be seen how the other aspirants will respond to this development. The 2027 General Election is expected to be a closely contested affair, with various parties and candidates vying for control of key seats, including the Nairobi governorship.
Key points
- ODM MCAs endorse George Aladwa for 2027 Nairobi governorship
- Endorsement adds pressure to broad-based government arrangement between ODM and UDA
- Aladwa challenges incumbent Governor Johnson Sakaja for the Nairobi seat
