Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has confirmed ongoing consultations regarding a high-profile exit from the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) to join the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), a potential move that could dramatically alter the capital’s political landscape.
Speaking during an interview on Radio Citizen on Wednesday, Sakaja revealed that formal calls from ODM officials and supporters to join the orange party have intensified.
He cited his deep personal bond with the late ODM founder, Raila Odinga, as a primary emotional and political driver behind the potential transition.
“In October, we will be marking one year since Raila left us,” Sakaja shared, describing the late opposition chief as a father figure who had long encouraged him to make the jump before his passing.
While emphasizing that no official departure date has been set, the governor signaled that he is closely monitoring public sentiment and will ultimately bow to the political demands of his voter base.
The revelations come on the heels of sharp criticism from Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua, who declared UDA “done” in Nairobi while receiving a wave of defectors, including Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan.
Gachagua dismissed both UDA and the Oburu-led ODM faction, signaling an increasingly chaotic battle for control of the capital.
