It is no secret that in 2027 the voters in Nairobi County will likely witness a bitterly contested gubernatorial race between governors Johnson Sakaja against his deputy Njoroge Muchiri. Sources told The Weekly Vision the two politicians are already working on elaborate schemes to either retain the seat for Governor Sakaja or seize the seat in the case of DG Muchiri.
And even though elections are four years away, Mount Kenya tycoons have already begun raising funds for their favourite candidate. A group of Kikuyu businessmen have reportedly sworn to ensure that one of their own, wins the post of governor. Johnson Sakaja, the current governor, is now in an untenable political position as a result of those schemes and although he is also said to be plotting over the same he is aware that Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has already told close confidants that the next Nairobi Governor must be from the mountain region, the race may turn out to be a tough one and too class to call.
Tycoons from Murang’a and Kiambu, who dominate the real estate sector in Nairobi, are said to have pledged to guarantee they recover control of the city in the next elections. Those familiar with Nairobi politics will concur that Murang’a and Kiambu landowners have always dictated the political direction in Nairobi.
Sources say that during the 2013 gubernatorial elections, tycoons from Muranga and Kiambu had an MoU with Dr. Evans Kidero of ODM that they were to lobby their people to vote for him arguing that he was a manager with the necessary experience to protect their properties and also provide business opportunities.
In 2017, the same team lobbied for Mike Sonko in yet another MOU. However, when Sonko failed to honour the deal, they abandoned him. In 2022, they were convinced by DP Gachagua that voting for Sakaja and one of their own Njoroge Muchiri was a clever way of having Muchiri ascend to the top seat at a later date. Sources say that the businessmen have been planning how to make DG Njoroge to be the UDA’s nominee for Nairobi County governor in 2027. The information has reportedly leaked, and Governor Sakaja is also planning his moves below the table.
However, sources say Sakaja could be forced to jump ship and join Azimio if only he can be guaranteed of being the flag bearer. Should he decide to the contrary, with the ongoing night meetings by Kikuyu tycoons, he will be defeated hands down during the UDA nominations.
Analysts say that during the 2022 Nairobi gubernatorial results, Sakaja received more votes from the Luhya community in Nairobi most of whom were affiliated to Azimio as compared to Kikuyus. They claim, Sakaja only got 40 per cent of Kikuyu votes while 60 per cent voted for Polycarp Igathe. Again, contrary to expectations, Sakaja garnered a substantial number of votes among the Luo population. As a result, support for Sakaja transcended party lines.
Political players are reportedly secretly building up their war chests in preparation for what pundits are now characterizing as a titanic battle for Nairobi’s top seat as the plotting and counter-plotting for the position intensifies.
