ODM puts Sakaja on notice over Nairobi ticket

A section of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leaders has challenged Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja to seek the party’s ticket through competitive nominations, effectively shutting down expectations that he could be handed a direct nomination if he defects from UDA.

His potential move to ODM would therefore mark a significant shift in his political alignment and place him at the centre of the latest political exodus from the President William Ruto’s UDA as politicians position themselves for the 2027 contest.

Speaking during an ODM delegates’ meeting in Kamukunji Constituency yesterday, September 6, 2026, ODM Nairobi County chairman and Makadara Member of parliament (MP) George Aladwa warned politicians currently serving in UDA against assuming they would automatically be accommodated by the opposition party.

“Those in UDA should stay in UDA and should leave those in ODM alone. Nairobi is a predominantly ODM region, Sakaja should be warned and stay in ODM for the 2027 General elections,” Aladwa said.

Aladwa, however, said ODM remained open to politicians seeking to join its ranks, but insisted that defectors would have to earn the party’s ticket through its internal nomination process.

“People are leaving UDA and saying they want to stand with ODM. ODM is a big and recognised party. So, as our party leader has said, everyone who comes will go through the nomination process,” he said.

His remarks were echoed by nominated Senator Hamida Kibwana, who said Sakaja would receive no preferential treatment should he abandon UDA and seek to defend his Nairobi governorship on an ODM ticket.

“If someone comes from the UDA Party and wants to vie for an elective seat in 2027 under ODM, they should not expect a direct ticket from the party. They should rightfully get their ticket through party primaries like all the other contestants,” Kibwana said.

Kibwana said ODM would welcome Sakaja and other politicians crossing over from rival parties, but only on the condition that they submit themselves to the same nomination process as existing party members.

“We welcome him, and we welcome all the people who want to join ODM. But we are telling them that we will have party primaries, we will have nominations. If he qualifies, we will welcome him,” she said.

The hardening stance piles fresh political pressure on Sakaja as speculation mounts over his possible departure from UDA and his search for a political vehicle ahead of the 2027 elections.

Sakaja has confirmed that he has received approaches from ODM officials and supporters seeking to persuade him to join the party, but has stopped short of announcing his departure from UDA.

In an interview with Radio Citizen on August 26, the governor said he had held meetings with ODM-aligned youths, women leaders and MPs, although no date had been set for his possible exit from UDA.

“There is no official date for when we will leave UDA, but the call is there. It is something I am observing; we must also look at what people are saying,” Sakaja said.

His possible defection has unfolded against the backdrop of an emerging ODM-UDA electoral partnership ahead of the 2027 polls.

The two parties formally unveiled a joint political framework on August 11 after a high-profile leadership retreat in Naivasha, bringing the governing and opposition parties closer under a shared electoral strategy.

Yet the emerging alliance has not erased competition for key elective seats, particularly in Nairobi, where ODM leaders continue to assert the party’s dominance.

In July, ODM director of elections and Suna East MP Junet Mohamed openly urged Sakaja to join ODM, arguing that Nairobi remained an ODM stronghold and warning that the party would not support him if he remained in UDA.

Sakaja was elected Nairobi governor in 2022 on a UDA ticket, defeating former governor Polycarp Igathe, who contested on a Jubilee Party ticket.