KENYA : Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has endorsed Governor Johnson Sakaja's Nairobi county Leadership, as the gubernatorial race continues to heat-up ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
Odinga, speaking at Bomas Of Kenya on Monday, February 10, referred to Sakaja as his son, noting that he wanted Nairobi to remain steadfast under the leadership of the first term city governor.
“Nataka Nairobi ibaki imara, ndo huyu kijana wangu huyu ashikilie, afanye kazi sawa sawa,” Raila said as he pointed at Sakaja.
Raila, spoke while attending an interdenominational prayer service that was organized for him by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Women’s Chapter ahead of the African Union Commission Chairperson polls scheduled for Saturday, February 15.
Sakaja, hinted at shifting his Political Allegiance from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) to Raila Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party.
Responding to Makadara MP George Aladwa and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga who invited him to join the Orange party, Sakaja said he could be on his way.
“I want to thank Nairobi governor for what he has done by standing with our party (ODM) yet he is not a member. I am pleading with (Johnson) Sakaja our governor to leave UDA and join ODM. We love each other at ODM and we have no ill motive, hate and jealousy,” Aladwa said.
In response, Sakaja promised that he would think about the proposal.
“I have heard what Aladwa and Wanga have said. Dalili ya mvua ni nini?” he posed. " Mwenye macho haambiwi nini? Na mwenye masikio haambiwi… Sisi tuko hapo bumper-to-bumper. Tuko pamoja.”
The governor has also promised to hold a meeting with ODM leaders in Nairobi after a fortnight, which could be a major pointer to a looming change of allegiance for the governor.
“Nataka tupange baadaye tukimaliza maombi ya baba wiki hii. Wiki mbili zikifika hivi nataka niwe na mkutano na wamama viongozi wa Nairobi wa ODM tukae tuzungumziane. Tutakaa na machairmen pia tuzungumziane niwaonyeshe mimi ni kijana wenu,” he said.
This move could, however, cause jitters with the ODM quarters, as the Nairobi gubernatorial seat has attracted other Orange party staunch members.
Among the ODM candidates salivating for the Nairobi gubernatorial seat is Embakasi East Member of Parliament, Paul Ongili alias Babu Owino who has rose to fame over his service delivery in the city.
Babu, was ranked as the Best MP Nationwide in NG-CDF Utilization by the Auditor General in the 2023/24 Financial Year. He has also been amongst the top two best performing MPs countrywide in yearly rankings over his development record in Embakasi East since he assumed office.
The Vocal Embakasi Legislator, has received admiration and Support for his spirited fight against the Kenya Kwanza administration and the Governor Johnson Sakaja's Nairobi County's Leadership.
Babu, has not been shy to call out the current government's short-comings in it's service delivery.
Speaking earlier in August last year, Babu alleged Kenyans are tired of empty promises from President Ruto's administration which keep pilling up.
Ongili, currently serving his second term as Embakasi East Legislator, warned the head of state of dire consequences should he fail to fullfil the promises.
" Mr Ruto, if you don't fulfill the promises you made and have been making to Kenyans, defeat for you in 2027 General Elections will be as easy as reciting vowels, any moving creature that contests against you will win." Ongili Stated.
Babu Owino stated that the people of Kenya are demanding the government demonstrates the reforms being undertaken to enhance the competence of the country's leadership.
" I have a team of over 20 Members Of Parliament who want to see change, MPs who will not sit back and watch Kenyans suffer. Any Bill that's Punitive will not pass under our watch." Babu claimed.
Referencing to the recent Gen Z protests that rocked the country, Babu Owino expressed support for the Kenyans seeking good governance.
"As a youthful leader in this country, I want to appeal to you in a special way that you take your time off the top of your vehicles and sit down with your top advisors including your new cabinet and review and change policies that your administration unleashed on Kenyans for the last two financial years," Babu Owino said in a statement on his Social Media.
"Kindly consider the welfare of the children of this country. Please engage the youths of this country and show them that you care for them."
According to Babu Owino, youths want the President to show them practical steps he is taking to create jobs in Kenya to pull them out of unemployment.
"Mr President it is a matter of just a few months and another Finance Bill 2025 will face Kenyans again," he said.
"The young people of Kenya are worried that March 2025 will find them with no change at all, and they will be forced back to the streets to protest poor governance and poor policies and to reject the Finance Bill 2025."
"I want to send a message to President Ruto in very simple but clear terms as the Gen Zs and Millennials of Kenya have sent me, Mr President, Walk The Talk." he stated
Babu Owino's Development Record, his Outright Support for Young Kenyans in need and Boldness to stand up against oppression from the Government has made him a darling to the Citizenry, with Nairobians urging the Vocal Legislator to contest for Governor Come 2027.
