Irungu Nyakera Abandons Nairobi Governor Bid, Targets Makadara MP Seat

Former Principal Secretary Irungu Nyakera has dropped his plans to run for Nairobi governor and will instead seek the Makadara parliamentary seat in the 2027 General Election.

Nyakera, a close ally of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, announced the change on Tuesday, August 18, saying the decision followed consultations with his political mentors and calls from residents of Makadara.

He said residents had urged him to return to the constituency and offer himself as their representative in Parliament.

“After consultations with my political mentors, and more importantly, after listening to the people of Makadara who have asked me to come home and offer myself as their Member of Parliament,” Nyakera said in his statement.

He explained that the request from residents played a major role in his decision to abandon the Nairobi gubernatorial race, which was expected to attract several high-profile candidates.

Before making the announcement, Nyakera travelled to Wamunyoro with a delegation from Makadara to meet Gachagua at his rural home.

Following the meeting, Nyakera thanked Gachagua for his guidance and political support as he begins his new campaign under the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP).

He said he was grateful for Gachagua's blessings as he seeks to become the next MP for Makadara.

The constituency is currently represented by George Aladwa, the ODM Nairobi branch chairman. Aladwa has already expressed interest in running for Nairobi governor, potentially creating an opening for new candidates to battle for the Makadara parliamentary seat.

Nyakera's decision also changes the Nairobi gubernatorial contest within DCP. He had been seen as one of the party's potential contenders alongside Embakasi North MP James Gakuya, who remains interested in the governor's race.

Gakuya is now expected to continue positioning himself as DCP's possible candidate against incumbent Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja.

The Nairobi contest could also feature Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, who is associated with the Linda Mwananchi faction. However, his preferred political vehicle for the 2027 race remains unclear amid ongoing divisions within ODM.

With Nyakera shifting his focus to Makadara, the Nairobi gubernatorial race has lost one of its potential contenders while the parliamentary contest in Makadara gains a high-profile candidate.