Kasarani Member of Parliament (MP) Ronald Karauri has announced that he will run for Nairobi governor in the 2027 General Election, setting the stage for what is expected to be a fiercely contested race for control of the capital.
Speaking during the issuance of bursaries to Grade 10 learners in Kasarani on February 22, 2026, Karauri said poor leadership lies at the heart of Nairobi’s problems and declared that he was ready to take charge of the county.
“Shida ya hii Nairobi ni uongozi, si kitu ingine,” he told the crowd. “Kwa hivo nimesema mimi leo nimejitolea na watu wangu wa Kasarani wamesema wataniunga mkono tuanze hiyo safari. Pia mimi nitakuwa hapo kwa ballot ya governor wa Nairobi,” he said.
He assured residents that they would no longer cry over small things if he took office, arguing that delivering services in Nairobi is not complicated.
“Wakaazi wa Nairobi wataacha kulia. Unajua tunalia vitu kidogo kidogo sana. Kuprovide hizi service za Nairobi sio kitu ngumu. Na Nairobi iko na budget yake,” he said.
Karauri pointed to basic services such as garbage collection, county roads and water supply as areas that require firm leadership and coordination.
“Hizi mambo za garbage collection. Hizi mambo za barabara za county, hizi mambo za maji,” he said, adding that he has often found himself pushing agencies to respond to residents’ complaints.
“Mimi ndio naendaga kufukuzana na watu wa Nairobi Water wafanye connection hapa Njiru ndio maji itoke. Hiyo kazi yote sio kazi yangu. So kwa hivo wacha niende nichukue hiyo kazi ndio niweze kuifanya Nairobi mzima.”
His remarks come at a time when the governance of Nairobi has sparked national debate. President William Ruto and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja recently signed a cooperation agreement that allows the national government to take financial and operational responsibility for key county functions, including waste management, roads, housing and river regeneration.
The Ksh80 billion framework has divided opinion. Supporters argue that it will improve service delivery in a city struggling with waste, poor roads and water shortages. Critics, including some opposition leaders, claim it undermines devolution and echoes the 2020 Nairobi Metropolitan Services model.
Karauri did not dwell on the legal arguments surrounding the pact, but he made clear where he stands politically.
“Pahali nimewekelea support yangu kwa saaii ni kwa President William Ruto,” he said, signalling his alignment with the Head of State as political realignments gather pace ahead of 2027.
A businessman and former pilot, Karauri entered Parliament in 2022 after winning the Kasarani seat as an independent candidate. Before politics, he worked for Kenya Airways and later led SportPesa as its chief executive, helping the betting firm secure major sponsorship deals locally and abroad.
His entry into the governor’s race adds to a growing list of potential contenders. Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has declared his interest in the Nairobi governor’s seat, joining other city politicians expected to enter the race.
