The race for Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja’s seat ahead of the 2027 General Election has opened a contest for control of Kenya’s capital, with several figures eyeing the office.
During the 2027 election, Sakaja, who is seeking to defend his position as the governor, could face competitors from across different political parties, with nominations yet to take place.
Aspirants looking to unseat the governor include serving members of parliament, former and current elected leaders, and private-sector figures.
Johnson Sakaja Seeks Second Term as Nairobi Governor
Sakaja became Nairobi governor after winning the 2022 General Election on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket, defeating Azimio candidate Polycarp Igathe.
Before becoming governor, Sakaja served in national politics as a nominated senator between 2013 and 2017.
He then won the Nairobi Senate seat in the 2017 General Election and served as senator until he entered the gubernatorial contest in 2022.
His administration has focused on programs and projects covering public transport, healthcare, markets, housing, sanitation and revenue collection.
The governor has also defended his administration’s record as he seeks to secure another term.
In March 2026, he affirmed he would seek re-election and indicated that his political vehicle would depend on the party fielding a candidate for Nairobi.
“I am running for governor. I am in the broad-based arrangement. The party that fields Nairobi is what I will run on. This will be the first time Nairobi will have a back-to-back governor, Inshallah,” Sakaja said during an interview with Citizen TV on March 8.
Babu Owino
Embakasi East lawmaker Babu Owino is among the politicians who have publicly declared their intention to contest the Nairobi governor’s position.
Owino first entered Parliament in 2017 after winning the Embakasi East seat on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket. He retained the constituency in the 2022 General Election.
Babu Owino has associated himself with the Linda Mwananchi movement and has announced plans to run for governor using the Mwananchi Party as his political vehicle.
In August, Owino said he intended to serve one term as governor before pursuing the presidency in 2032.
His proposed Nairobi agenda includes roads, drainage, healthcare, garbage collection, water, sewerage, security, and employment.
Agnes Kagure
Businessperson Agnes Kagure is also an aspirant pursuing the Nairobi governor’s position after previously contesting the seat.
Kagure entered the Nairobi gubernatorial contest in the 2022 General Election and has since maintained her political activities in the capital.
Her current campaign is associated with the Kenya Patriots Party, with her official campaign platform identifying her as a candidate for Nairobi governor in 2027.
James Gakuya
Embakasi North MP James Gakuya has also positioned himself for the Nairobi governor’s race.
Currently, his political activities are tied to the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), the party associated with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Margaret Wanjiru
Margaret Wanjiru, the former Starehe MP and assistant minister, declared her bid for the Nairobi gubernatorial race in September 2026
Margaret had contested the Nairobi governorship in the 2022 election but stepped aside after political negotiations.
On September 6, 2026, Wanjiru officially declared her intention to contest the Nairobi governorship on the Kenya Moja Movement Party ticket at Jesus Is Alive Ministries in Nairobi.
Ronald Karauri
Kasarani MP Ronald Karauri, who won in the 2022 elections, joined the Nairobi governor’s race in February 2026.
He previously worked as a pilot and later became associated with the betting industry, including his tenure as chief executive of SportPesa.
On February 22, 2026, Karauri announced his intention to contest the Nairobi gubernatorial seat, saying the decision followed consultations with his Kasarani constituents.
“I will be on the ballot. If elected, Nairobi residents will not complain,” Karauri said.
George Aladwa and Tony Gachoka
Makadara MP George Aladwa, who has served as deputy governor under former Nairobi governor Evans Kidero, is also looking to unseat Sakaja on an ODM ticket.
In December 2025, he rejected suggestions that he would deputize Moses Kuria and clarified he would seek the Nairobi gubernatorial seat.
Journalist and political commentator Tony Gachoka is also seeking the Nairobi governor’s position.
Gachoka joined the Kenya African National Union (KANU) in June 2025.
Gachoka reaffirmed his gubernatorial ambitions during a television interview, saying he had consulted opposition figures before deciding to enter the contest in July 2026.
Aspirants Who Withdrew Bid for Governorship
The Nairobi gubernatorial contest has also seen politicians revise their political plans ahead of the 2027 election.
Former Gatundu South MP and Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria was among the early high-profile figures to express interest in the Nairobi governor’s position.
Kuria publicly signaled his ambitions for Nairobi in 2025 and subsequently promoted a political agenda focused on improving the management of the capital.
In November 2025, he shared campaign-style material featuring himself and Makadara MP George Aladwa. However, his plans later changed as he refocused on Gatundu South.
In addition, former Principal Secretary Irungu Nyakera also withdrew from the Nairobi governor’s race.
On August 18, 2026, he announced that he had abandoned his gubernatorial bid and would instead contest the Makadara parliamentary seat on a DCP ticket.
Figures Linked to the Nairobi Race
Former Nairobi deputy governor Polycarp Igathe remains one of the names mentioned in connection with the 2027 contest.
Igathe served as deputy governor under Mike Sonko before resigning from the position. He later became the Azimio coalition’s Nairobi gubernatorial candidate in the 2022 General Election, where he faced Sakaja.
However, he has not officially declared his intention for the seat.
Further, Nairobi Deputy Governor Njoroge Muchiri, who serves as Sakaja’s deputy, has also been named as a potential candidate.
In September 2026, Sakaja referred to Muchiri as his running mate while discussing his 2027 re-election plans,
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