Former Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria and Makadara MP George Aladwa have publicly split over an alleged joint bid for the 2027 Nairobi governorship, exposing fresh tensions in the early political alignments forming around the capital’s race.
The disagreement emerged on Wednesday after Aladwa stated he would not serve as Kuria’s running mate and would instead seek the governorship on an ODM ticket.
Aladwa, a former Nairobi mayor and a long-serving ODM figure in the county’s politics, insisted he has no agreement with Kuria.
“I have said that I will not be Moses Kuria’s deputy; I will be vying for the Nairobi gubernatorial seat under the ODM party in 2027,” he said, distancing himself from the arrangement Kuria had earlier announced.
ODM remains dominant in several Nairobi constituencies, making its ticket central to any serious campaign for City Hall.
In response, Kuria claimed that external pressure influenced Aladwa’s withdrawal.
Through a statement posted on X, Kuria said Aladwa had been “summoned by holders of extremely powerful offices and ordered to denounce” their alleged pact.
Kuria added that he respects Aladwa’s decision but warned that the move reveals early manoeuvres by unnamed political actors ahead of the 2027 contest.
The contest for Nairobi’s top seat is shaping up earlier than in previous cycles, reflecting the county’s strategic importance to national political parties.
Since the introduction of devolved governance in 2013, Nairobi’s gubernatorial seat has frequently drawn heavyweight political interest, with parties often using the position to strengthen national bargaining power.
The city’s complex voter demographics and its role as the country’s economic hub make coalition-building essential for any aspirant.
Kuria reiterated that he remains committed to contesting the seat, saying he wants to “save this collapsing city,” though he noted the race is not a matter of personal desperation.
His recent declaration adds him to a growing list of figures positioning themselves for the governorship, a seat currently held by UDA’s Johnson Sakaja.
With ODM signalling internal interest and UDA expected to defend its control of the county, Nairobi is set for a competitive and highly negotiated race.