The battle for control of Nairobi politics is shaping up as the most delicate and fierce contest as it threatens to set partners against each other amid growing onslaught by rivals.

📋 Breaking It Down

The 2027 battle is already emerging as a three-way struggle, with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) seeking to defend its traditional urban base, while President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) is keen to maintain its foothold on the country’s seat of power.

At the same time, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, the Wiper Patriotic Front of Kalonzo Musyoka, and the country’s new sensation, Linda Mwananchi, of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, are also aggressively seeking to consolidate anti-government forces in their pursuit to control city politics.

Nairobi has largely been an opposition ground in the past elections, with the late Prime Minister Raila Odinga having an edge since 2007.

📌 What You Need to Know

At the heart of the contest is the coveted governor position, senator, woman representative, and the 17 parliamentary positions. The 85 electoral wards are also of interest for the political players. Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) are a major cog in the running of the county government, given their tendency to impeach governors.

Within the opposition, DCP seeks to ring-fence all the parliamentary seats currently held by both Jubilee and UDA, terming the electoral areas its strongholds. According to DCP, they are only open for negotiations with partner parties for seats currently held by ODM. The party is also fronting Embakasi North MP James Gakuya for governor and Millicent Omanga for Woman Rep.

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino addresses journalists outside the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters in Nairobi on August 18, 2026.

Also Read:  ODM headache in the city as MPs publicly back Babu Owino

“We will agree on which party to field in which electoral areas. Some of the decisions will be influenced by the presidential ticket, because we don’t expect a party that will produce our presidential flagbearer to demand the governor position. But seats currently held by Jubilee and UDA now belong to DCP,” said Embakasi Central MP Benjamin Gathiru alias Mejjadonk.

Dr Ruto’s falling out with Mr Gachagua has since complicated the dynamics for the ruling party. A host of UDA MPs – including Benjamin Gathiru (Embakasi Central), James Gakuya (Embakasi North) and Kamande Mwafrika (Roysambu) – have joined Mr Gachagua’s DCP to boost their 2027 prospects.

📰 Source: Nation Africa