Editor's Review

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has come under criticism from Kasarani MP Ronald Karauri following his decision to ditch UDA and join ODM.

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has come under criticism from Kasarani MP Ronald Karauri following his decision to ditch the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and join the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

In an update on Monday, November 2, Karauri maintained that Sakaja had secured the Nairobi governorship on a UDA ticket and suggested that switching political parties would not change how residents judged his performance over the past four years.

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"Sakaja won Nairobi on a UDA ticket. He’s not leaving UDA because of any problem with the party - he’s running to ODM because he thinks a new colour will make people forget his record," he wrote.

Karauri further accused Sakaja failing to address several challenges affecting the capital, including building collapses, flooding, garbage collection and unpaid bursaries.

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"Collapsed buildings, flooding, garbage, unpaid bursaries, and four years of City Hall mess. He will be surprised. Changing parties will not erase the monumental failure," he added.

Sakaja was officially welcomed into ODM at Chungwa House in Nairobi by senior party officials, including Deputy Party Leader Simba Arati and National Chairperson Gladys Wanga.

Speaking after his admission into ODM, Sakaja linked his political journey to the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, saying their relationship dated back to his entry into politics and his eventual election as Nairobi Governor.

"I started with Raila Odinga when I joined politics and became governor. Now that I have joined ODM, I have many people behind me whom I am bringing into the party," he said.

File image of Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja after joining ODM

Sakaja also revisited the criticism he faced over his close relationship with Raila and his decision to work with the former Prime Minister before the formation of the Broad-Based Government.

"I was branded an ODM mole even before the Broad-Based Government. I was fought by tribal leaders who opposed my decision to work with Raila. Isn't it a shame? he added.

Sakaja's defection followed growing calls from a section of ODM supporters for him to formally join the party.

On Saturday, October 31, Sakaja had attended an ODM memorial event at Jacaranda Grounds in Nairobi in honour of Raila, where he asked residents to choose the political party they wanted him to join.

The governor reminded the crowd that Nairobi residents had elected him as Senator and subsequently Governor despite differences in political affiliations, noting that ODM supporters had also backed his previous electoral campaigns.

He then asked the crowd whether he should remain in UDA, join the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) or move to ODM, with sections of the audience expressing support for his entry into the Orange party.

Responding to the crowd's position, Sakaja invoked the popular saying that the voice of the people is the voice of God and asked ODM leadership to guide him on his political future.

"The voice of the people is the voice of God. Chair and party leader, you will guide me," he said.