Sakaja Officially Defects From UDA To ODM Ahead Of 2027 Nairobi Gubernatorial Race

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has officially defected from the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) to join the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) as he prepares to defend his seat in the 2027 General Election.

Sakaja was formally received into the Orange Party on Monday, November 2, 2026, by senior party officials, led by ODM Deputy Party Leader Simba Arati, at the party’s Chungwa House headquarters in Nairobi.

The city chief confirmed he will seek a second term on an ODM ticket, putting an end to months of political speculation regarding his party alignment following escalating tensions within UDA.

The announcement comes days after Sakaja signaled his political transition by attending ODM’s Mwezi wa Baba closing rally at Jacaranda Grounds on Saturday, October 31. During the event, Sakaja polled the crowd on his political future, with supporters overwhelmingly chanting for an ODM move, prompting him to publicly request party leaders to initiate his joining process.

ODM leadership has spent months courting Sakaja, insisting that the capital remains an ODM stronghold and that any viable gubernatorial candidate needed the party’s backing.

During an empowerment function in Kileleshwa, Suna East MP and National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed previously warned Sakaja that staying in UDA would doom his reelection prospects. “If Sakaja desires to be re-elected as Nairobi governor in 2027, then he should come to ODM. If he decides to remain where he is… nobody will elect him,” Junet stated at the time.

Sakaja’s political relationship with the Orange Party traces back to late 2025, when the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga publicly expressed support for Sakaja’s leadership and urged ODM members to back his reelection.

In August 2026, Sakaja dropped hints of his impending departure from UDA, citing his close personal ties to the late ODM leader and stating he was conducting extensive consultations before making his final move to Chungwa House.