Political commentator Tony Gachoka has declared his intention to vie for the Nairobi gubernatorial seat in the 2027 General Election, expressing confidence that he will secure the backing of the opposition coalition and defeat Embakasi East MP Babu Owino if the two face off.

Speaking during a TV interview on Sunday, July 12, 2026, Gachoka revealed that he has held discussions with key opposition leaders, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and KANU chairman Gideon Moi, as he positions himself for the race.

He said he believes he has the support of most principals within the opposition coalition and is optimistic about clinching its ticket.

“I have talked to Gachagua. As far as I am concerned, in the absence of Rigathi blocking me, I have the majority of the support of other coalition partners and principals. From what I have heard from Gachagua and his people, they think I am the right man for Nairobi,” Gachoka said.

“If I am correct in my calculation, it will be between Tony Gachoka and Babu Owino.”

Gachoka also disclosed details of a lengthy meeting with Gideon Moi, during which he expressed his desire to return to active politics through the Nairobi governor’s race.

According to Gachoka, the two agreed that he would join KANU, where he currently serves as the party’s national spokesman and remains a close adviser to the former Baringo senator.

“I had a four-and-a-half-hour meeting with Gideon Moi, and I told him my desire to re-enter the political game. I said to him my desire to run for the Nairobi gubernatorial race. Gideon Moi and I agreed that I can join KANU, and I will join it at the helm. I am the national spokesman of KANU, and I remain the confidant and advisor to Gideon Moi,” he said.

The political analyst acknowledged that mounting a gubernatorial campaign in Nairobi requires substantial financial resources, saying Gideon Moi had assured him that KANU and the opposition coalition would mobilise funding if he emerged as the coalition’s flag bearer.

“I told Gideon Moi I don’t have the finances to be able to run Nairobi on my own. He told me that if I got the ticket from the United Opposition and I am the flag bearer, then we shall raise the resources to support a clean campaign,” Gachoka said.

“I have no shame in the fact that Gideon Moi is a man of means; he is my brother, friend and party leader. I would expect that he would do everything possible to ensure that KANU wins a seat in Nairobi.”

Gachoka dismissed suggestions that Babu Owino would have an electoral advantage, arguing that Nairobi’s ethnic and political demographics favour his own candidature.

He claimed the Embakasi East MP would struggle to build a broad coalition capable of attracting support from the Mt Kenya and Kamba voting blocs.

“If you look at the demographics that I run against Babu Owino, Babu Owino is having difficulty, and many Luo MPs in Nairobi will have trouble. I can tell you without fear of contradiction, I will beat Babu by 7-1 or 100%,” he said.

He added that while Babu Owino has reportedly been engaging opposition leaders including Gachagua and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, he remains unconvinced that such talks would translate into a winning coalition.

Gachoka further argued that the united opposition stands a strong chance of capturing Nairobi County in 2027, particularly if it fields a single candidate.

He, however, singled out Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as a key political figure whose support base would be crucial to the coalition’s prospects.

“Not only am I running for Nairobi Governor, but I will win. The United Opposition, in the demographics of Nairobi, has a good opportunity to win. The only important addition to the united opposition votes will be Sifuna. Sifuna’s vote in Nairobi will be substantial because of his influence among Gen Zs, but more particularly the Luhya vote,” Gachoka said.

The Nairobi gubernatorial race is expected to be one of the country’s most closely watched contests in the 2027 General Election, with several political figures already being linked to the seat as parties begin positioning themselves ahead of nominations.