Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is laying out an audacious blueprint to wrestle Nairobi politics away from the Orange Democratic Movement, declaring that ODM’s long-running influence in the capital is “finished.”
Speaking during a Thanksgiving service at P.C.E.A. Kariobangi North Berea Parish Church, Gachagua said his Democratic Change Party, now working in tandem with Kalonzo Musyoka’s Wiper, is gearing up for what he calls a decisive takeover in 2027.
According to him, the coalition is targeting almost every major seat in Nairobi: the governorship, the senate, the woman representative post, sixteen out of seventeen parliamentary slots, and an overwhelming majority of ward seats.
Buoyed by DCP’s victory in the Kariobangi Ward by-election, Gachagua framed the win as proof that Nairobi’s political climate is shifting. He insisted that the alliance’s pact with Wiper is airtight, claiming it positions DCP as the face of the United Opposition in the city.
“We have an agreement with the Wiper leader, who has been helping ODM in Nairobi. The deal is to have the Governor, Woman Rep and Senator on DCP, while we have agreed, working with Wiper, to have at least 16 out of 17 MPs in our coalition.”
He argued that this cooperation aims to consolidate parliamentary seats under their coalition, while handing DCP control of the top county offices.
Gachagua, who has recently cast himself as a counterweight to the Kenya Kwanza administration, dismissed the United Opposition’s losses in last week’s by-elections, insisting the media is ignoring what he views as significant gains for his relatively young party.
He went on to accuse the government of relying on bribery and hired goons, warning that such tactics will only erode UDA’s support in Mt Kenya.
He also claimed credit for President William Ruto’s 2022 Nairobi votes, arguing that the loyalty once extended to UDA has now shifted to his camp.
Despite UDA and ODM’s strong performance in the latest by-elections across the country, Gachagua insists Nairobi is drifting toward a new political order, one he hopes will crystallise under the DCP–Wiper banner in 2027.
Governor Johnson Sakaja is eyeing a historic second term as governor of Nairobi, a feat never achieved since the introduction of county governments. Previous governors Evans Kidero, Mike Sonko, and Ann Kananu have all served a single term often booted out due to corruption or inefficiency in running the capital city.
President Ruto in his promise to the Nairobi City electorate, has vowed to ‘never leaving Nairobi behind’ promising a fierce battle and mobilization of resources to ensure the capital remains under Kenya Kwanza Control.
Who else wants to be Nairobi Governor?
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has thrown his hat into the ring for the Nairobi governorship, stating he is ready to run as an independent if ODM denies him the ticket. His strong appeal among youthful voters and across ODM’s urban support base has kept him consistently ahead in recent opinion polls, positioning him as one of the race’s early favourites.
Former Dagoretti South MP Dennis Waweru is also emerging as a key player, drawing support from Nairobi’s more traditional and business-focused voters. Polls show him performing strongly, making him a viable contender in a city where economic frustrations and governance complaints often influence political shifts.
Former Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has joined the race as well, promising to clean up Nairobi’s mess and “fix” what he describes as entrenched incompetence. He enters a field that also includes Embakasi North MP James Gakuya, whose rising popularity in the Eastlands area of Nairobi has pushed him to the top of some polls. He is also rumoured to be DCP’s candidate of choice for the city.
Other contenders include former PS and KICC board chair Irungu Nyakera, alongside businesswoman Agnes Kagure, who previously ran as an independent. Kagure remains a prominent name in certain opinion polls, with her campaign centred on women and youth empowerment, making her another notable force in an increasingly crowded and competitive field.
