Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja’s political gamble of aligning himself with Raila Odinga ahead of the African Union Commission (AUC) election now seems to have backfired, with critics accusing him of bringing bad luck to Raila’s bid.
His attempt to position himself as Raila’s key ally in Nairobi has come under scrutiny, especially after Raila’s humiliating defeat to Djibouti’s Mahamoud Youssouf.
Sakaja, who was once seen as an independent leader, made a sudden shift towards Raila, even kneeling before him in a dramatic display of loyalty.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja during a past church service. Photo: The Star Source: Facebook
His late entry into the ODM political sphere earned him the title of “De Facto Nairobi Politico”, with reports suggesting that ODM politicians were consulting him on key city matters.
However, Raila’s crushing loss at the AUC race has left many questioning Sakaja’s real influence and intentions.
Beyond his political maneuvers, Sakaja’s tenure as Nairobi Governor has been marred by allegations of mismanagement and looting.
His administration has been accused of presiding over a failing county, with rising complaints about corruption, poor service delivery, and questionable financial dealings.
Reports of inflated tenders, stalled projects, and kickbacks have painted a grim picture of his leadership.
Johnson Sakaja smiles during a past UDA meeting. Photo: Nation Source: Facebook
While he sought to rebrand himself as a champion of Raila’s movement, his track record in Nairobi tells a different story.
Supporters who initially welcomed his alignment with Raila are now bitter, accusing him of opportunism.
Many believe his move was purely a political survival tactic to secure a stronger position ahead of the 2027 elections rather than genuine support for Raila.
Some even argue that his late embrace of Raila may have jinxed the AUC campaign.
Orange Democratic Movement Party leader Hon Raila Odinga during his AUC bid launch in State House on August 27. Photo: Raila Odinga Source: Facebook
As Raila processes this shocking defeat, Sakaja’s newfound position within ODM looks increasingly shaky. Did his last-minute political shift doom Raila’s bid? Or was he simply using the ODM leader to sanitize his tainted reputation?
For now, Sakaja’s gamble seems to have misfired spectacularly, leaving him exposed as a leader who lacks true political conviction.
