NAIROBI, Kenya — Nairobi County Governor Johnson Sakaja launched a sharp political attack on former Deputy President and Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua, just minutes after officially defecting to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
The dramatic shift in Nairobi politics took place at Chungwa House, where Sakaja was formally received into the party in a high-profile ceremony led by Kisii County Governor and ODM Deputy Party Leader Simba Arati, alongside other senior party officials.
Arati symbolically welcomed the city chief by crowning him with an ODM cap to confirm his entry.
Addressing the press immediately after his admission, Sakaja revealed that his decision was guided by the late ODM party leader Honorable Raila Odinga, who he claimed directly asked him to join the party, unite the people of Nairobi, and serve them dedicatedly.
Sakaja pulled no punches against Gachagua, accusing politicians who recently departed ODM of aligning themselves with the DCP leader. He branded Gachagua a “tribal leader” who promotes divisive politics rather than national unity.
“Baba himself told me to come to ODM and focus on unifying the residents of Nairobi,” Sakaja stated. “It is unfortunate that those who abandoned this party are now associating with Gachagua, a leader driving a tribal agenda.”
Sakaja reaffirmed his commitment to the capital’s residents, maintaining that he will prioritize inclusive governance and service delivery above factional politics as he prepares to defend his seat under the ODM banner in the upcoming general election.


