Westlands Member of Parliament (MP) Tim Wanyonyi has reaffirmed his resolve to vie for the Nairobi gubernatorial seat in the 2027 general election, vowing not to back down despite past political setbacks.

Speaking on Thursday, March 27, 2025, Wanyonyi openly criticized what he described as betrayal by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) during the 2022 elections, insisting that the experience has only strengthened his resolve to continue fighting for the city’s top seat.

“Last time, ODM betrayed me, but this time, we are saying there will be no such thing. We will fight, and that is why I want to contest for the position of Nairobi so that we can strengthen the party,” Wanyonyi stated.

Previous setbacks

The legislator recalled how his 2022 gubernatorial ambitions were prematurely cut short when he was pressured to step down in favour of former Nairobi Deputy Governor Polycarp Igathe under the Azimio la Umoja coalition arrangement.

“(In 2022) Before we had even gone far (in the campaigns), someone stood up and told me, ‘Tim Wanyonyi will now be the deputy of someone else,’ someone I don’t even know. They just brought him in,” Wanyonyi recounted.

“And what work does a deputy have? He just goes to City Hall to read newspapers. I asked them, I have campaigned to be the governor of Nairobi, so now I should go back to the people and tell them I am a deputy? Will they believe me? I told them I could see a plot to destroy me. I decided I would rather go back and continue serving the people of Westlands,” he narrated.

Wanyonyi insisted that this time, he will resist any attempt to sideline him, revealing plans to mobilize grassroots support to secure the ODM ticket.

“But this time, we shall fight. We will fight you and the whole of Nairobi. We will have our own army. One by one, we will go to Orange House and demand our certificate,” he stated.

Criticism of ODM’s alliances

The lawmaker also took issue with ODM’s pattern of entering coalitions he believes have weakened the party.

He claimed that individuals working with rival political formations have infiltrated ODM, further destabilizing its structures.

“The ODM party has too many crooks. Some are taking money from our opponents to come and destabilize us from within,” Wanyonyi said.

He dismissed alliances that, in his view, have failed to add value to ODM, arguing that such coalitions have been slowly undermining the party’s strength.

“We will also not accept these coalitions where most of the time, we are forced to join hands with people who have nothing to offer, but when they come here, they want to own ODM. They have been slowly killing ODM. This time, let the party be strong,” Wanyonyi affirmed.

ODM’s endorsement controversy

Wanyonyi’s bid, however, comes at a time when ODM has endorsed another candidate for the 2027 gubernatorial race.

Speaking on February 10, 2025, before departing for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson elections, ODM party leader Raila Odinga endorsed incumbent Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja to oversee the party’s political affairs in Nairobi during his absence.

Referring to Sakaja as his son, Raila urged ODM members in Nairobi to remain united under Sakaja’s stewardship.

“I want Nairobi to remain united and strong. My son here will take charge,” Raila said, pointing at Sakaja during a prayer meeting at the Bomas of Kenya.

In response to Sakaja’s recent actions, Wanyonyi argued that the governor is trying to gain Raila and President William Ruto’s attention.

“Governor Sakaja has developed this habit that whenever he learns that Raila is somewhere, he shows up in a manner to try and prove that he is the one closer to Baba. He tries all he can to get Raila’s ear and attention. He wants Baba to endorse him ahead of the 2027 polls,” Wanyonyi stated in an interview with PD Wikendi on March 22, 2025.

Wanyonyi insisted that since Sakaja is not a member of the ODM party he is free to seek ODM’s ticket only if he undergoes the party’s nomination process.

“If he (Sakaja) wants to cross over from UDA to ODM, we are welcoming him, but he must know that he must be on the queue just like the rest; there is no way he will be given special preference at the expense of others,” Wanyonyi added.

He further warned that even with an ODM ticket, Sakaja would still face defeat at the ballot.

“But what I want to make it clear is that even if Sakaja vies on an ODM party ticket or any other party, he will lose because he is unable to deliver on his promises and meet the expectations of the city residents. Even if ODM hands him the ticket and blesses him, Sakaja doesn’t have any other option other than going home,” Wanyonyi explained.

Expressing his unwavering resolve, he added, “I am ready to face the challenge and will not bow down to any form of intimidation. I have the people’s support, and that is what matters most. I will continue with my aspirations for the people of Nairobi regardless of the obstacles ahead.”