Senator Sakaja Seeks UDA Ticket to Vie for Nairobi Governor's Seat

Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja says he is still in the race for the county’s gubernatorial seat in the August 9th elections.

Sakaja on Thursday confirmed he will be seeking the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party ticket to contest for the Nairobi governor’s seat.

He denied ever joining Musalia Mudavadi’s ANC party, saying he became a member of UDA immediately after ditching the ruling Jubilee Party.

“When did I join ANC? I was in Jubilee and when I left I went straight to UDA. We are now gearing up for nominations on April 14,” Sakaja told People Daily.  

His announcement sets the stage for a bruising battle with former Starehe MP Bishop Margret Wanjiru, who is also eyeing the Nairobi gubernatorial seat under the Deputy President William Ruto-led party.

Wanjiru said she is ready to face off with Sakaja in the UDA party primaries slated for April 14th and exuded confidence that she will clinch the ticket.

“Yes, I am aware that he is in UDA and he is just coming to spoil (for me). Let him know that I am ready to face him in the nominations. Nitamfunza vile siasa za Nairobi zinafanywa,” she stated.

A recent poll by Trends and Insights for Africa (TIFA) showed that Sakaja would win the governor’s race with 23 percent followed by Westlands MP Timothy Wanyonyi (14 percent), incumbent governor Anne Kananu (7 percent), businessman Richard Ngatia (6 percent), while Bishop Wanjiru had four percent.