Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has left the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), President William Ruto's party, and joined the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). Senior ODM officials welcomed him on Monday at Chungwa House, the party's headquarters in Nairobi. Citizen Digital and Kenyans.co.ke reported that he plans to defend his seat on an ODM ticket in the 2027 General Election.
ODM Deputy Party Leader Simba Arati and National Chairperson Gladys Wanga were among the party leaders who received him, Citizen Digital reported. According to Kenyans.co.ke, the move ends weeks of speculation over which party Sakaja would use for his re-election bid.
Sakaja said he brings experience and strong support from young people to help the party ahead of the polls. "The next chapter of our politics must be measured not simply by elections we win but the lives we transform," he said, according to Citizen Digital. He linked the move to his relationship with the late ODM founder Raila Odinga. He said Odinga was the one who told him to join ODM.
The switch had been building for weeks. Kenyans.co.ke reported that Sakaja attended an ODM rally at Jacaranda Grounds on Saturday, October 31. There he asked supporters which party he should run on, and the crowd suggested ODM. He then asked the ODM leaders present to welcome him into the party.
ODM had courted Sakaja for months, according to Kenyans.co.ke. The party argued that he had a better chance of re-election on its ticket than on UDA's. It says it is the biggest party in the capital and must field a candidate for every seat, including governor. Suna East MP Junet Mohammed had warned Sakaja that nobody would elect him if he stayed in UDA.
In 2025, Odinga backed Sakaja's re-election bid and asked ODM members to support him at the ballot, Kenyans.co.ke reported. In August 2026, Sakaja hinted that he would leave the ruling party but said he was still consulting. He described Odinga as "like my father".
Sakaja must still win the ODM ticket for the Nairobi governor race. If he does, he will face Mwananchi Party's Babu Owino, Kasarani MP Ronald Karauri and other contenders, Citizen Digital reported.