Governor Lenku declares ODM will field candidate in Purko ward by-election
By Christine Musa, September 3, 2025Governor Joseph Ole Lenku has announced that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) will front a candidate for the Purko Ward Member of County Assembly (MCA) by-election slated for November 27, 2025.
Speaking in Kajiado, Lenku said that despite ODM being part of the broad-based government, he will lead campaigns to popularise the Raila Odinga-led party.
Lenku, who noted that the party is yet to settle on its flag bearer, maintained that the seat belonged to an Azimio la Umoja candidate.
The seat fell vacant after Wiper’s Simon Saitoti passed away on January 5, 2025, after a short illness.
“I am here as the Kajiado Governor and Maa spokesperson to make our ODM family’s position clear. We are part of the broad-based government led by President William Ruto. As the ODM family, under Raila Odinga, we want to clear the air about the Purko by-election. We will field a candidate. The seat was occupied by an Azimio candidate under the Wiper party. We urge our broad-based partners to consider negotiations to have ODM front a candidate. I will be at the forefront to campaign for the candidate to ensure ODM wins the seat,” Lenku stated at the county headquarters.
The Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), on August 2, 2025, unveiled its candidate, Simon Sanare Saidimu, promising a bruising battle to win the seat.
Sanare was unveiled by DCP party leader Rigathi Gachagua, who was flanked by a host of local leaders from Kajiado.
Rigathi promised to support and lead the campaigns, terming the contest a game-changer for Kajiado politics and for DCP’s popularity in the region.
“Today, I unveil Sanare as the DCP Purko Ward MCA candidate. We are committed to supporting him and ensuring he wins the seat,” Rigathi said.
Although the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) is yet to officially unveil its candidate, Isaac Mbusia has been named as the party’s flagbearer.
Purko Ward in Kajiado Central Constituency has 4,848 voters and 12 polling stations.