As ODM grassroots elections kicked off in various parts of the country on Wednesday, Nairobi County is bracing for a major political showdown between two prominent leaders—Makadara MP George Aladwa and Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi.
Both leaders are staunch ODM supporters with significant influence over critical voter bases that the party will rely on to remain united and competitive ahead of the 2027 elections.
With the current broad-based government setup, ODM will need a leader who can effectively champion the party’s interests while navigating the evolving political landscape and maintaining alliances with its new partners.
Makadara MP George Aladwa has recently aligned himself with the UDA-led government by attending key State House meetings and collaborating with events organized by the Nairobi County government, which is also led by the UDA Governor.
" I have served in the last 11 years as a chairman in the ODM party we have maintained a solid control of the city politics,and that is the direction we need to take" Aladwa said ahead of the polls.
Political analysts believe Aladwa’s actions reflect the pragmatic approach required in the broad-based government.
He has also been instrumental in rallying Nairobi County MCAs to work cohesively with Governor Sakaja, despite the UDA party holding a minority in the Nairobi County Assembly.
As a long-serving ODM chairman in Nairobi, Aladwa is leaning on his extensive experience, including his tenure as a former mayor and two-term MP, to secure re-election.
Tim Wanyonyi, on the other hand, is promising to inject new energy into the party’s leadership.
The Westlands MP has declared his intention to run for Nairobi Governor in the next election and has remained steadfastly loyal to the ODM party.
Unlike Aladwa, Wanyonyi has kept a measured distance from the current government, emphasizing his commitment to ODM’s values and vowing not to step aside for other candidates in his gubernatorial bid.
"I believe it’s time to usher in a new chapter for our great party ODM, one defined by fresh ideas, renewed energy, and a steadfast commitment to making our party stronger and more united," Wanyonyi sai.
Both leaders previously served as councillors in the now-defunct Nairobi City Council, leveraging their grassroots knowledge to ascend to Parliament.
Aladwa is currently serving his second term as MP, while Wanyonyi is in his third.
Over the past decade, Aladwa has led the ODM party in
Nairobi as chairman, during which the party has solidified its dominance in the
city, boasting a significant number of elected MPs and MCAs.
Aladwa also served as Nairobi’s mayor from 2011 to 2013, a
role that further enhanced his political profile.
The upcoming elections will not only determine who takes the
reins of ODM’s leadership in Nairobi but also shape the party’s strategy for
the 2027 elections.