Embakasi North MP James Gakuya has drawn a firm line in the battle for Nairobi's governorship, warning opposition leaders against using coalition negotiations to force him out of the 2027 race.
Gakuya insists that any agreement to field one opposition candidate must be based on transparent and credible joint nominations rather than backroom deals that favour politically influential aspirants.
His position exposes the difficult negotiations awaiting the United Opposition as several politicians pursue the same seat. While he supports a united front, Gakuya has made it clear that unity cannot become a political arrangement where some candidates are sacrificed to accommodate others.
Gakuya Challenges Opposition Leaders to Embrace Fair Nominations ¶
Speaking during a television interview on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, Gakuya said he would support a single opposition candidate if the person emerged through a fair and competitive selection process.
The legislator rejected the idea that political parties could simply negotiate among themselves and instruct individual aspirants to withdraw. He argued that coalition-building should provide a framework for competition rather than become a tool for imposing preferred candidates.
“I think parties should be allowed to participate in elections and offer leadership. However, coalition-building must have clear structures for fairly picking candidates. I cannot be told to step down for somebody. That can never work,” Gakuya said.
His remarks expose one of the biggest challenges facing opposition leaders as they attempt to build a united political front ahead of the August 2027 General Election.
The United Opposition may agree on the need to challenge President William Ruto's political camp, but agreeing on candidates for key elective positions is an entirely different battle. Nairobi is particularly sensitive because of its political influence, financial importance and concentration of competing political interests.
Gakuya wants parties to establish joint nomination mechanisms that allow interested candidates to compete before settling on one flagbearer.
“If the United Opposition wants unity, it should establish joint nomination mechanisms for the gubernatorial race. Once a candidate is fairly selected, all parties can support that one candidate. But forcing someone to step down for another is not logical,” he added.
His demand places pressure on opposition leaders to explain how they intend to resolve competing ambitions. It also challenges the culture of political negotiations in which senior figures sometimes attempt to settle electoral contests before voters or party members have an opportunity to make their choice.
Babu Owino, Karauri and Gachoka Complicate the Race ¶
Gakuya is facing competition from several politicians who have already expressed interest in succeeding Governor Johnson Sakaja.
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino is among the most prominent potential rivals. He has declared his intention to contest the governorship through The Mwananchi Party, positioning himself as an alternative to the incumbent.
Owino has frequently pointed to his parliamentary record as evidence of his leadership ability, arguing that his experience serving Embakasi East gives him a foundation to manage Nairobi County.
He is also associated with the Linda Mwananchi political formation linked to Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna's political ambitions. This adds another dimension to the contest because the movement has its own political interests and may not automatically accept arrangements negotiated by other opposition formations.
KANU spokesperson Tony Gachoka has also announced his intention to seek the Nairobi governorship on the party's ticket.
Other interested politicians include Kasarani MP Ronald Karauri and Makadara MP George Aladwa, while Sakaja is seeking another term.
The growing list of aspirants presents opposition leaders with a difficult calculation. Allowing everyone to contest could divide votes, but forcing candidates out without a credible process could trigger political rebellion and weaken the coalition before the election.
Gakuya's position is therefore significant. He is not rejecting the idea of a single opposition candidate. He is challenging the process through which that candidate would be selected.
Gakuya's Independent Option Raises Stakes for DCP ¶
Gakuya's determination to remain in the race is also a challenge for the Democracy for the Citizens Party, which is led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
The MP launched his Nairobi gubernatorial campaign in September 2026 and has continued positioning himself as a serious contender for the seat.
In April 2026, he called on opposition parties to agree on a single Nairobi candidate, warning that multiple candidates from the same political camp could split their support and hand an advantage to their opponents.
However, his latest remarks show that he expects the unity proposal to apply equally to every aspirant. He does not want an arrangement in which one candidate is considered more deserving simply because of political connections or influence within the opposition leadership.
His position is reinforced by remarks made during an earlier interview published on October 22. Gakuya said he would consider running as an independent candidate if he failed to secure the DCP ticket.
That declaration sends a clear message to his party. He is prepared to pursue his gubernatorial ambition outside DCP rather than abandon the race because of internal nomination disagreements.
Such a move could complicate opposition calculations in Nairobi, particularly if several candidates aligned to the same political camp end up competing against one another.
Sakaja's ODM Entry Complicates Nairobi Opposition Politics ¶
The entry of Sakaja into ODM on November 2 has further complicated the contest.
The governor, who was elected on a United Democratic Alliance ticket in 2022, is now positioning himself to defend his seat through the Orange Democratic Movement.
His defection has introduced fresh questions about ODM's nomination plans, especially because Makadara MP George Aladwa and other party figures have previously been associated with the push for an established party candidate.
Sakaja's arrival could create friction between his political ambitions and those of politicians who have spent years building ODM's grassroots structures in Nairobi.
The party must now contend with competing interests while determining whether the incumbent should receive its ticket or face a competitive nomination process.
For Gakuya, the wider problem is whether opposition leaders will apply the same democratic standards across all parties. It would be politically difficult to demand that DCP aspirants surrender their ambitions while accommodating powerful newcomers seeking favourable nomination arrangements elsewhere.
The Nairobi governorship is too important to be settled through political convenience. If opposition leaders genuinely want unity, they must agree on transparent nomination rules and allow aspirants to compete fairly.
Gakuya has made his position clear. He is willing to support another candidate, but he will not accept being pushed out through political negotiations. The opposition must now decide whether its promise of unity includes democratic competition or simply serves the interests of a few powerful political figures.
