Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has found himself in an awkward political gamble after Kasarani MP Ronald Karauri officially joined the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), days after the county boss ditched the outfit for the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
Mr Karauri was on Monday officially received by UDA Secretary-General Hassan Omar at the party headquarters in a development that has raised questions about the governor’s relationship with President William Ruto .
It also raises questions on whether his decision to join ODM had the blessings of President Ruto or not. In some quarters, his decision also raises questions about UDA’s political influence in Nairobi ahead of the August 10, 2027 polls.
Mr Sakaja swept to power in 2022 under the UDA banner, with the backing of Dr Ruto's political machinery.
Although UDA and ODM are planning to enter a pre-coalition agreement ahead of the 2027 polls, President Ruto could find himself rallying voters to get rid of Mr Sakaja at the ballot should both parties field candidates for the seat.
Mr Omar said that the party has confidence in Mr Karauri, and that they will retain the governor seat.
“We are working with ODM, and there will be friendly fire here in Nairobi and in Mombasa County. This is a ruling party which is under President William Ruto, who has fought for us as the marginalised groups…we will win the presidential seat, governor seat and all the seats in this country,” Mr Omar said, adding that the party will support its candidates.
Also, the Secretary-General asked the governor aspirants to start working with the party MPs in Nairobi, the MCAs and the aspirants who had been left stranded after Mr Sakaja’s exit.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja addresses ODM supporters during a mega rally in memory of Raila Odinga at Jacaranda Grounds on October 31, 2026.
Photo credit: Bonface Bogita | Nation Media Group
“As you stand in Nairobi, seek votes not only from UDA members but from everyone. We are asking for votes from UDA, ODM, the rich, and the less fortunate and from all the tribes and the religious groups. I know he will take Nairobi to the next level,” Mr Omar said.
Mr Karauri had been tipped as one of the MPs expected to join the ODM this week. However, he has instead joined the UDA and announced his intention to seek the Nairobi City County governorship in 2027 on a UDA ticket.
In his remarks, Mr Karauri said that he is ready to hit the road and popularise the party across the 17 constituencies ahead of the next general elections.
“The agenda is to change the lives of residents in Nairobi. To the young people, the next election belongs to you, we want to create jobs for the youth. As you go to vote, pick someone who would create jobs, who will transform your lives. The journey of transforming Nairobi has just started,” Mr Karauri said.
Kasarani MP Ronald Karauri.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
He also stated that the broad-based government would swipe major seats across the city, adding that he was being welcomed to join other parties but preferred UDA.
“As an independent MP, I had the privilege of walking across Nairobi and across all the parties. Sometimes, whenever I visited some parties, people followed me later to join the other side. But today is the day I have joined the ruling party, and I want to remind you that the Nairobi governor seat will be taken by UDA.”
He also said that under Governor Sakaja, the city had witnessed incompetent leadership and been left in a mess, but that he would turn things around if the residents elected him.
“I have worked with everyone, including many others in ODM. Nairobi is a broad base zone, and I want to urge all the people that I have worked with to join me in this new journey of delivering Nairobi and changing the lives of the young people.”
During the reception of Governor Sakaja to ODM, the party deputy leader and Kisii Governor Simba Arati revealed that Mr Karauri would be ushered into the party and ready to face off with other governor aspirants in party nominations.
Sakaja ditches UDA, joins ODM
Also, during the build up to the Jacaranda Ground’s rally to mark the first anniversary of the death of the late ODM leader Raila Odinga, Mr Karauri was among the leaders and aspirants who had talks with Governor Arati.
“Our Nairobi Chairperson Aladwa is also seeking the Nairobi governor seat. He will fight with Governor Sakaja for the ticket here. If Karauri decides to come, we will welcome him the same way as we have done with Sakaja. The only assurance that we want to give to our people is that we will have free, fair and transparent nominations,” Mr Arati said.
Also present at the UDA headquarters were National Assembly Majority Leader and Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wa, Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie, Nominated Senator Karen Nyamu and a number of MCAs from the party as well as aspirants
Mr Ichung’wa said that the county should consider Mr Karauri as the next governor, adding that the President directed him to usher in the new member.
“We are welcoming you. Nairobi residents have said that they trust in your leadership. We are very confident as a party that we will have a captain leading Nairobi County as the next governor. Nairobi is not just secure and safe, Nairobi is firmly on the right road to progress,” Mr Ichung’wa said.
With ongoing projects across the city, Mr Ichung’wa said such facilities require the leadership of someone with the management skills to make the city a top regional destination.
“It’s not only Nairobi residents who trust in you, but all Kenyans are saying that with the captain being in charge, Nairobi, with the new captain, Nairobi is the place to be. We are welcoming you to our party.”
The MP also revealed that they had been trying to persuade Mr Karauri to join the UDA, given his track record as an MP and his growing rating among voters.
Mr Kiarie said that Nairobi people will have an opportunity to elect someone who has gone to school, someone who has skills in managing the affairs of millions of people.
“Now go across all the corners, seek votes and let people know your manifesto so that when the time to vote comes, we will know the advantage of electing a captain as a governor,” Mr Kiarie said.
This comes days after a section of UDA MCAs and aspirants in Nairobi slammed Governor Sakaja for joining ODM, declaring that they will not surrender the capital's gubernatorial race to their broad-based partners.
They dismissed claims that Sakaja's move could weaken UDA in Nairobi, insisting that the party remains strong and will field candidates for all elective positions in the 2027 general election.
"We will have a Governor, a senator, the Woman Representative and the majority of elected leaders coming from this party," UDA Nominated MCA Cecilia Wairimu said.
