Bishop Margaret Wanjiru’s renewed bid to become Nairobi governor in 2027 is guided by the phrase, “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me”.
Having stepped aside in the 2022 elections following high-level political negotiations, Ms Wanjiru says she regrets this decision and is determined not to repeat it.
Since devolution began in 2013, Ms Wanjiru has repeatedly sought the mandate to lead Nairobi County, returning to the gubernatorial contest at every election.
As the country heads towards the 2027 general election, the leader of the Kenya Moja Movement Party (KMMP) is once again positioning herself for the Nairobi governorship, this time insisting that she will not surrender her ambitions in political negotiations.
This determination stems from her experience in the 2022 elections, when she claims to have established a robust political foundation in Nairobi, yet was pressured to withdraw from the gubernatorial race as part of a broader strategy by the newly formed United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Ms Wanjiru was one of the politicians who helped to build UDA’s grassroots network in Nairobi. Having invested years in mobilising support for the party, she was asked to step aside and run for senator, thereby clearing the way for Johnson Sakaja to contest the governorship.
“Since I had done my groundwork for a couple of years, the ground was ready. People were ready. I was the key person for Nairobi in UDA. I introduced UDA to the people of Nairobi, but when election time came around, I was called in and told to step down,” she said.
Bishop Margaret Wanjiru, leader of the Kenya Moja Movement party, wipes off tears during an interview at her Jesus is Alive Ministries offices in Nairobi on September 17, 2026.
Photo credit: Evans Habil | Nation
In an interview with the Nation , Ms Wanjiru said that she had effectively been used as a sacrificial lamb to resolve political issues that threatened UDA's chances in Nairobi, including questions of regional representation.
“They said, ‘You will trust us and we will trust you, you count on us and we count on you. We want to trade you the gubernatorial position, we don’t want to lose the votes. You will go for senator. We know it is a bit late and you might not win but at least you will be able to consolidate the votes for us,’” she said.
She lost the Senate race by a narrow margin, but says she had been promised a Cabinet position as compensation for stepping aside.
But after UDA formed the government, Ms Wanjiru says the promise was not honoured. Instead, she found herself defending her church against the same administration she had helped bring to power.
Bishop Margaret Wanjiru, leader of the Kenya Moja Movement party, poses after an interview at her Jesus is Alive Ministries offices in Nairobi on September 17, 2026.
Photo credit: Evans Habil | Nation
Her experience has now shaped her strategy for 2027 as she intends to pursue the governorship through a political vehicle where she believes she will have greater control over the nomination process.
“My vision for Nairobi remains in place. One of the lessons I have learned is to approach the election with my party. Going with the party that you are 100 per cent sure that nobody will play me with the nomination; that is the game changer,” she said.
That position could become significant as the Nairobi race takes shape with several political formations expected to field candidates and opposition parties weighing how to divide the city’s numerous elective positions.
Ms Wanjiru may once again find herself confronted with the same political arithmetic that characterised the 2022 contest, involving multiple candidates, competing party interests, and negotiations over positional allocations.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who leads the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), has repeatedly said his party intends to make a major push for Nairobi, including the governor’s seat.
DCP has been linked to Embakasi North MP James Gakuya as a possible gubernatorial candidate, although the political field remains fluid.
Ms Wanjiru says the emergence of other aspirants will not persuade her to abandon her bid.
“The positions in Nairobi are too many. If somebody wants to sit at the table and negotiate, the positions are too many. But this one, that I will not compromise, I will not let go, because I do not want to let down my voters, is the seat of governor,” she said.
Bishop Margaret Wanjiru, leader of the Kenya Moja Movement party, during an interview at her Jesus is Alive Ministries offices in Nairobi on September 17, 2026.
Photo credit: Evans Habil | Nation
She says political parties and opposition leaders seeking to build an alternative to President William Ruto’s administration should consider negotiating over other positions, including deputy governor, senator, woman representative and county assembly leadership.
Nairobi city is one of the country’s most politically consequential battlegrounds, with its large electorate and concentration of national political interests making control of City Hall an important prize for competing formations.
Ms Wanjiru also says she will continue working with leaders seeking to build an alternative political force in 2027, arguing that President Ruto should not be given a second term.
Meanwhile, Governor Johnson Sakaja is seeking re-election, which would make him the first Nairobi governor to secure a second term under the current constitutional dispensation if he is successful.
