Nominated Senator Crystal Asige has announced plans to contest the Nairobi senatorial seat in the 2027 General Election, joining Lang’ata MP Phelix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang’o, and East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Winnie Odinga in the race for the seat currently held by Edwin Sifuna.
Asige says her record in Parliament, particularly her advocacy for persons with disabilities, young entrepreneurs and learners in special-needs schools, makes her well placed to represent Nairobi residents.
“I have the responsibility to protect our young people who are in business and those in special needs schools in the country. All of these I have done as a fresh leader in Parliament, even as a nominated senator, and that is my track record,” she said.
The senator challenged Nairobi voters to assess her legislative work and consider what she could achieve if elected to represent the county.
“Tell them my work. I ask you to grant me permission to continue serving you and protecting Kenyans. If you vote for me, imagine how much more I will do for you here in Embakasi and the wider Nairobi County as a senator. Asige is coming as the Nairobi senator in 2027,” she said.
Her declaration adds another prominent name to a contest that is attracting politicians from different backgrounds as the country prepares for the August 2027 polls.
Winnie Odinga formally announces her bid
Winnie Odinga declared her intention to vie for the Nairobi Senate seat on October 15, 2026, during the first anniversary commemoration of her late father, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, in Bondo, Siaya County.
The EALA legislator made her intentions clear while referring to incumbent senator Edwin Sifuna and his reported interest in pursuing higher political office.
“Let it not be a rumour. I will contest the Senate seat of Nairobi County,” Winnie announced.
She also encouraged young Kenyans to enter elective politics, saying she wanted to pursue her ambition alongside other young people seeking leadership positions at different levels, including governor, senator, Member of Parliament and Member of County Assembly.
Her declaration places her in a potentially high-profile contest in the capital, where political alliances and party nominations are likely to play a major role in determining the final candidates.
Winnie’s entry also brings the Odinga name into the Nairobi Senate succession debate following the death of Raila Odinga, one of Kenya’s most influential political figures. However, her eventual prospects will depend on her campaign, party arrangements and support among Nairobi voters.
Jalang’o was first to declare his interest
Jalang’o announced his intention to contest the Nairobi senatorial seat on February 10, 2026, months before Winnie and Asige made their declarations.
The Lang’ata MP said his experience representing the constituency had given him confidence to seek a countywide mandate. In an interview with Radio 47, he argued that the Senate would provide a platform to scrutinise Nairobi County’s use of public funds and strengthen accountability.
“The work of an MP is oversight and management of public resources. I told myself that if we have delivered good results in Lang’ata, we can transform Nairobi as a whole by properly supervising county funds,” Jalang’o said.
The former media personality also insisted that his political decisions were his own, amid speculation about whether his bid had the backing of influential political figures.
Jalang’o was elected Lang’ata MP in 2022 on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket. His move towards the Senate would shift his political ambitions from representing one constituency to overseeing county government affairs across Nairobi.
His bid is also significant because he and Sifuna have been associated with different political positions within the wider debate over the direction of ODM and its relationship with President William Ruto’s administration.
Crystal Asige’s record on disability inclusion
Asige enters the contest with a profile shaped by her work on disability rights, accessibility and inclusive policymaking.
A visually impaired woman, she has used her experience to advocate for reforms addressing barriers faced by persons with disabilities. Her legislative work includes championing Bills intended to improve legal protection and inclusion, including the Persons with Disabilities Act 2025.
She has also served as Vice Chair of the Senate Labour and Social Welfare Committee, Secretary General of the Kenya Disabled Parliamentarians Association and chairperson for persons with disabilities within the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association.
Outside Parliament, Asige is an accessibility auditor, inclusive mobility expert and award-winning musician. She is also the founder of the Crystal Asige Foundation.
Her public profile has received international and national recognition. She was named to TIME’s 2024 TIME100 Next list of emerging leaders and featured in Business Daily’s Top 40 Under 40 lists in 2023 and 2025.
Asige argues that her experience as a nominated senator has given her a foundation on which to build a broader electoral mandate. She has also pointed to her working relationship with Sifuna as evidence of her contribution to Senate business.
Sifuna’s seat draws growing interest
The emerging bids have placed the Nairobi Senate seat firmly in the political spotlight as aspirants position themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Sifuna, who won the seat on an ODM ticket in 2022, remains the incumbent. His political future has become part of the succession debate amid reports of ambitions beyond the Senate.
The three aspirants are approaching the contest with different political profiles: Asige is emphasising legislative performance and disability inclusion; Jalang’o is highlighting his experience in constituency representation and oversight; while Winnie is calling for greater participation by young people and presenting herself as a candidate for the capital’s Senate seat.
Their declarations do not, by themselves, establish who will ultimately appear on the ballot. Party nominations, coalition agreements, campaign organisation and voter support will all shape the contest as the election approaches.
