Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has declared that he has shifted his political focus from Homa Bay County to Nairobi, signalling a new political direction that could shape the 2027 succession debate in the capital.

Speaking during the Embakasi Central Women Empowerment programme on Saturday, May 2, 2026, Mbadi told residents that he is now focused on working with Nairobi leaders and women groups, while still maintaining his national government role.

“Mwenye kiti wangu chairman mweshimiwa Aladwa, ambaye ni rafiki yangu, tumelinda naye chama kwa muda mrefu sana. Na pia Jalango, ambaye ni rafiki yangu na tulifanya naye bunge. Kama kuna kitu nikiambiwa, nikiitwa, siwezi kukosa, Ni kusaidia wamama,” he said.

He stressed that his commitment was now tied to women empowerment and grassroots mobilisation in Nairobi.

“Ni kwa sababu gani? Wamama wakisema wamesema. Wakipanga wamepanga. Na mimi nimekuja hapa nipangane na nyinyi. Mmekubali tujipange?” Mbadi asked the crowd.

He explained that his upbringing shaped his political outlook, saying he understands struggle and support systems at family level.

“Mnajua mimi nilizaliwa na mzee. Nilizaliwa wakati baba yangu alishafikisha seventy-one years. Hangeweza kunisomesha. Ni mama yangu ndiye alifanya biashara kunisomesha,” he said.

Mbadi added that his political energy is now directed at Nairobi, where he believes coordination between leaders is necessary.

“Sasa nimepanga siasa za Homa Bay kwa muda mrefu. Nimehamisha siasa zangu Homa Bay ninaleta hapa Nairobi. Na hii Nairobi lazima nipange Nairobi,” he said.

He called for cooperation between leaders from both ODM and UDA under the broad-based political arrangement.

“Hawa viongozi, hawa MCA, sana sana wale wako kwa broadbased, UDA na ODM lazima tukae chini tuwapange. Nipange wote wote mahali broadbased MPs wanatoka, nitakuja kuinua hawa wamama,” Mbadi said.

He also criticised political divisions in the city, saying Nairobi residents deserve better leadership focus.

“Kwa sababu hii Nairobi watu wameleta siasa ya fitina, siasa ya uongo, siasa ya kudanganya wananchi. Kila siku wakiamuka wanasema hakuna kazi William Ruto anafanya,” he said.

Mbadi defended President William Ruto’s performance, saying the country has seen development across sectors.

“Na ukitembea Kenya mzima, hakuna rais amefanya kazi kushinda William Samuel Ruto,” he added.

Jalang’o backs Mbadi shift

During the same event, Langata Constituency Member of Parliament (MP) Phelix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang’o, who is eyeing a senatorial seat, urged Mbadi to take a stronger role in Nairobi politics and work closely with President Ruto’s administration.

“Nataka waziri, uwe waziri wetu hapa Nairobi. Toka huko ushago waziri. Toka ushago ulimalizana na ushago Mbadi. Wewe siyo waziri wa Homa Bay,” Jalang’o said.

He added that Mbadi should stay in Nairobi and help organise development programmes.

“Kuja ukae nasisi hapa Nairobi. Upangie Rais William Ruto Nairobi. Tupo na pia Raymond Omollo. Wewe ndiye waziri wetu,” he said.

Jalang’o said leaders already aligned to Nairobi politics are ready to work with Mbadi on a weekly basis.

“Tutembe na wewe na Nairobi. Hawa ma MCA unaona wamekuja wamekaa na wewe hapa. Mbadi wako tayari kutembea na wewe kila wiki,” he said.

Mbadi fuels Nairobi speculation

Mbadi has previously dismissed claims that he intends to return to Homa Bay politics, saying his ambition is to move higher in national leadership.

In February 2026, he said he could not go back to county politics, insisting his focus was national.

“I am now a Cabinet Secretary… I can only go up; I don’t want to go down,” he said earlier.

His latest remarks in Nairobi now place him at the centre of speculation over whether he could seek an influential role in the capital’s politics, either through government appointment or future elective arrangements.

Mbadi’s remarks come amid growing speculation about the 2027 Nairobi governor race, where several leaders have already declared interest in unseating Governor Johnson Sakaja.

Embakasi North MP James Gakuya, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Makadara MP George Aladwa, and businesswoman Agnes Kagure are among those linked to the contest.

The race has also been shaped by shifting alliances between ODM and UDA, with discussions around possible cooperation between the two parties gaining momentum.