Nairobi gubernatorial candidate Johnson Sakaja has named James Njoroge Muchiri as his running mate, completing his electoral lineup ahead of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) deadline.
A campaign source confirmed to Kenyans.co.ke that Muchiri, currently serving as Chief Operations Officer at a regional bank, will be formally introduced at the Deputy President's residence in Karen. The announcement follows IEBC Chair Wafula Chebukati's extension of the running mate submission deadline from April 28 to May 16 after consultations with political groups.
Sakaja's selection positions him against the Azimio la Umoja coalition's pair of corporate executive Polycarp Igathe and former Kibwezi MP Prof Philip Kaloki. The Nairobi race also includes Bishop Margaret Wanjiru as the senatorial flag bearer and Millicent Omanga as the Woman Representative candidate, who will face ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna and Esther Passaris respectively.
Previously, Muchiri sought the Nyandarua County governorship and contested UDA party primaries, losing to Moses Kiarie Badilisha. With a career spanning regional banking roles in Tanzania and Botswana, he holds a mathematics and computer science degree from Alliance High and Mang'u High Schools.
Known for his philanthropy, Muchiri founded the Njoroge Muchiri Foundation, which supports social and economic development in Nakuru, Kiambu, Laikipia, and Nyeri counties. The senatorial, parliamentary, and county assembly candidate deadlines remain unchanged for April 28.
IEBC Chairperson Wafula Chebukati addressed the media at a press conference in August 2021.
