Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has opened the door to a possible political shift from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), saying he is listening to calls from supporters and party officials while also reflecting on his close relationship with the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Sakaja, speaking during an interview with Radio Citizen on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, confirmed that discussions over a possible move to ODM are ongoing. However, he stopped short of announcing his defection, saying he is consulting with relevant people before making a final decision.
βThere has been that call,β Sakaja said, acknowledging that some officials and party members have asked him to move to ODM.
He stressed that there is no official date for his departure from UDA, suggesting that his political future will depend partly on what his supporters want.
Railaβs influence
One of the strongest personal factors behind Sakaja’s consideration of ODM is his relationship with Raila Odinga.
Sakaja described the former Prime Minister as being like a father to him and recalled that the two remained in close contact before Raila’s death in October 2025.
Sakaja said Raila himself had wanted him to join ODM, adding that their close relationship continues to influence his thinking about the party.
βIn October, we will be marking one year since Raila left us, and we were very close; he was like my father,β Sakaja said. He added that he and Raila had been in frequent contact before his death.
The reference to Raila is politically significant. The former opposition leader had a strong political base in Nairobi and remained one of the most influential figures in Kenya’s opposition politics until his death.
Sakaja’s acknowledgment of Raila’s influence therefore adds a personal dimension to what could otherwise be viewed purely as an electoral calculation.
Supporters could determine his next move
Sakaja has repeatedly maintained that he is consulting widely before deciding which political vehicle to use as he seeks a second term as Nairobi governor in the 2027 General Election.
In his latest remarks, he made clear that he would pay attention to the wishes of his supporters.
βThere is no official date for when we will leave UDA, but the call is there,β he said, adding that he must consider what the people want.
His comments suggest that, while no formal defection has taken place, the possibility has moved beyond political speculation.
The governor is now openly acknowledging discussions with ODM and admitting that his supporters are pushing him towards a particular political direction.
ODM has been courting Sakaja
The possibility of Sakaja joining ODM did not emerge suddenly.
ODM leaders have for months publicly encouraged him to leave UDA and seek re-election under the Orange party’s banner.
In July, Suna East MP and ODM Director of Elections Junet Mohamed told Sakaja that the party would support his 2027 re-election bid if he joined ODM. Junet argued that ODM retained significant political strength in Nairobi and that Sakaja’s prospects would be stronger under the party.
The pressure continued into August.
Earlier this month, Sakaja said he was considering leaving UDA and joining ODM, while indicating that he was consulting before making a final decision. At the time, he suggested that an announcement about his political vehicle could come before the end of August.
The latest comments therefore reinforce a political conversation that has been building for several months.
A complicated political equation
For Sakaja, the decision is not simply about changing party colours.
Nairobi remains one of Kenya’s most politically competitive areas, and the 2027 governor’s race is expected to attract intense competition.
Sakaja won the Nairobi governorship in 2022 on the UDA ticket, defeating Polycarp Igathe of the Azimio coalition. His current political calculations come as parties and politicians begin positioning themselves for the next general election.
ODM’s interest in Sakaja reflects the importance of Nairobi to the party’s political strategy. The party has historically enjoyed substantial support in the capital, making control of the governor’s office a major political prize.
At the same time, Sakaja’s possible departure would represent a significant development for UDA and President William Ruto’s political camp in Nairobi.
Gachagua adds pressure
Sakaja’s comments also came a day after former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua claimed that UDA was losing important political figures in Nairobi.
Gachagua said he had heard that Sakaja wanted to move to ODM and dismissed UDA’s influence in the capital. He also welcomed the possibility of Sakaja joining ODM, while questioning the strength of both parties.
Although Gachagua’s remarks were political commentary rather than confirmation of Sakaja’s plans, they added to speculation surrounding the governor’s next move.
Sakaja’s subsequent confirmation that talks with ODM are taking place has given the issue greater political weight.
Sakaja remains cautious
Despite the growing speculation, Sakaja has been careful not to declare that he is leaving UDA.
His latest statement was deliberately conditional: there is a call to move, discussions are taking place, and supporters’ views will be considered but no official date has been set.
That cautious approach gives the governor room to negotiate while keeping his political options open.
It also allows him to assess the competing advantages of remaining in UDA or joining ODM before the 2027 campaign enters a more decisive phase.
The Nairobi factor
The stakes are particularly high because Nairobi’s political landscape is fluid.
ODM leaders believe the party retains a strong base in the capital, while UDA has sought to consolidate support through its association with the national government.
For Sakaja, the choice of party could therefore have a direct impact on his re-election campaign.
ODM’s public invitation gives him access to a party that has historically performed strongly in Nairobi, while remaining in UDA would keep him aligned with the political establishment led by President Ruto.
The governor must weigh not only party structures but also voter sentiment, alliances and the growing number of politicians positioning themselves for the 2027 race.
For now, Sakaja remains a UDA governor contemplating a possible ODM future.
His comments, however, represent a significant shift in tone. What was once largely political speculation has become an issue he is openly discussing.
His supporters are calling for a move. ODM officials have publicly invited him. And his memories of Raila Odinga appear to have given the possibility a deeply personal dimension.
Yet Sakaja insists that the final decision has not been made.
As Kenya moves closer to the 2027 General Election, his eventual choice could reshape the political contest in Nairobi and provide an important indication of how alliances are evolving across the country.
For now, the governor is listening and waiting to see where his supporters, his political calculations and the legacy of the late Raila Odinga ultimately lead him.
