Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Oburu Odinga has broken his silence after Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja left the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) for the party.
Sakaja was reportedly welcomed by ODM’s top leadership and promised the party’s Nairobi gubernatorial ticket ahead of the 2027 General Election. The move is likely to reshape the political landscape in the capital.
Oburu addressed the development on his official Facebook page, saying he was delighted to host the governor at his home. “It was a great pleasure hosting Governor Johnson Sakaja at my home this evening,” he wrote.
He said he was happy to officially welcome Sakaja into the ODM family. “As our party continues to grow and strengthen its roots, his joining marks a significant and welcome step forward for all our new members,” Oburu stated, ending with a warm “Karibu sana to ODM.”
The governor’s move had been anticipated for months. Sakaja earlier acknowledged overtures from ODM and cited his close relationship with the late Raila Odinga, whom he described as a father figure. Senior ODM figures, including party chairperson Gladys Wanga and Makadara MP George Aladwa, had publicly urged him to join.
The development is not without tension. Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, who has declared interest in the Nairobi governorship, has openly criticised Sakaja’s leadership and questioned why ODM would hand him its ticket. Other aspirants in the party are also expected to watch the nomination process closely.
Political analysts say Sakaja’s entry strengthens ODM’s grip on Nairobi, a county where the party performed strongly in the 2022 elections. It also deals a fresh blow to UDA, whose leadership had been losing allies in the run-up to 2027.
For now, Oburu’s message signals a united front at the top. How ODM manages competing ambitions in Nairobi will be the real test in the months ahead.
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