Sakaja Responds To Calls To Dump UDA For ODM
Sakaja was among the leaders who appeared at the Bomas of Kenya on Monday, February 10, for Raila's special prayers ahead of the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson elections later this week.
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
Nairobi Governor, Johnson Sakaja on Monday, February 10 provided a cheeky response to calls from ardent members of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to join the Raila Odinga-led camp.
Sakaja was among the leaders who appeared at the Bomas of Kenya on Monday, February 10, for Raila's special prayers ahead of the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson elections later this week.
Whereas the main agenda of the event was support for Raila's AUC bid, the proceedings took a slight detour as some ODM leaders attempted to persuade Sakaja to join their party.
Makadara Member of Parliament George Aladwa led the calls to woo Sakaja into the ODM party, stating “Baba, as you go to fight for your position at the AUC, I want to urge our governor, Sakaja, to leave UDA and join ODM. Let’s walk together."
Nairobi governor Johnson Sakaja and AUC chair hopeful Raila Odinga during a prayer meeting at the Bomas of Kenya on Monday, February 10, 2025. /CORNELIUS KIPRONOH
Aladwa also took a dig at the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), adding, "At our party, we love each other. There is no hatred or jealousy."
Echoing his sentiments was Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, who also urged the Nairobi County boss to consider the proposal ODM were bringing to the table.
Sakaja, who was instrumental in organizing the special prayer event at the Bomas of Kenya, did not avoid the discussion but gave an ambiguous response to calls for him to leave UDA.
"I’ve heard what Aladwa and (Gladys) Wanga have said. Where there are clouds, there is rain. Bumper to bumper we are together. I want us to plan later, let us complete prayers for Baba this week. In two weeks, I want to have a meeting with ODM bosses in Nairobi. I want to show you that I’m one of you," Sakaja stated.
At the same event, Raila Odinga, a dominant political figure in Nairobi, seemed to endorse Sakaja for re-election, implying that he would secure his seat in the upcoming elections. He stated "I want Nairobi to remain united and strong. My son here will take charge."
Although not a member of ODM, Sakaja has maintained a close relationship with Raila, even before the AUC chair hopeful reconciled politically with President William Ruto.
Recently, Sakaja and Raila have been spotted together at key events, with their latest international engagement being the governor's accompaniment of Odinga to the Mjadala Afrika debate for AUC candidates in Addis Ababa on December 13, 2024.
Meanwhile, Sakaja's remarks could likely spark a political confrontation within ODM, with some leaders including Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, being critical of him.
On Thursday, January 16, Owino criticised Raila over claims of endorsing Sakaja for the Nairobi Gubernatorial seat in 2027, alleging that his efforts were not appreciated despite his loyalty to the former opposition leader.
“He has never wanted Raila Odinga, he wanted Kibaki, he wanted Uhuru Kenyatta in 2013 and 2017 and wanted William Ruto in 2022, this is a person who is not coming with clean hands,” Babu Owino lamented while speaking to the press.
“This is a person who does not love Raila, he has never sacrificed anything for him, even going to Ethiopia is just a gimmick, so Raila should know better."
