ODM leaders in Nairobi have ruled out the possibility of Governor Johnson Sakaja receiving an automatic party ticket if he leaves the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and joins the opposition party.
ODM Nairobi County Chairman and Makadara MP George Aladwa said the party was open to welcoming politicians from other formations but would not guarantee them direct tickets.
Aladwa maintained that anyone seeking an elective position on the ODM ticket would have to compete in the party’s 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,” Aladwa said.
His remarks come amid speculation that Sakaja could leave UDA and seek the ODM ticket to defend his Nairobi governorship in the 2027 General Election.
Sakaja was elected Nairobi governor in 2022 on a UDA ticket after defeating former governor Polycarp Igathe, who contested on a Jubilee Party ticket.
ODM says Sakaja must face nominations
Nominated Senator Hamida Kibwana backed Aladwa’s position, saying ODM was ready to receive new members but would subject all aspirants to party primaries.
Kibwana said joining ODM would not guarantee any politician a direct ticket, regardless of their political standing or previous electoral success.
“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,” Kibwana said.
The remarks effectively rule out an automatic ODM ticket for Sakaja should he decide to leave UDA and seek the opposition party’s backing.
Sakaja’s 2027 political future
Sakaja has increasingly featured in political discussions as parties and politicians position themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.
Nairobi is expected to be one of the most closely contested political battlegrounds, with rival parties seeking to control the capital’s influential political base.
For Sakaja, any decision to change parties could therefore have significant implications for his bid to retain the governorship.
However, ODM leaders have made it clear that joining the party would not shield him from an internal contest, leaving the question of who ultimately secures the party’s Nairobi gubernatorial ticket open ahead of the 2027 polls.
