Raila spoke at a prayer function organised at the Bomas of Kenya by a caucus of ODM women to bless his African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship bid.

"I want Nairobi to remain stable and for this young man Sakaja to continue being in charge firm and do things properly," Raila said.

Clarifying things on Tuesday, February 11, ODM national chairperson Gladys Wanga suggested that Raiola's sentiments were taken out of context.

Wanga, who is also the governor for Homa Bay, stated that the party was yet to have its favourites for the Nairobi governorship race in 2027.

She denied the claims that Raila was sidelining Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, an ODM staunch stalwart who is also eyeing the Nairobi governor's seat.

According to Wanga, no candidate will be given preferential treatment while seeking the party's ticket; she said all will be subjected to a fair series of party primaries.

"No one can deny Babu to contest for any seat in the party. What Raila said is that he wanted Nairobi to remain strong and be run well. It had nothing to do with 2027. When 2027 will come, everyone who will be interested in the gubernatorial seat will present themselves and a party primary will be done to pick the candidate that the residents want," said Wanga.

Previously, Babu had petitioned Raila to reconsider his friendship with Sakaja.

Sakaja visited Raila at his rural home, and even accompanied him to Addis Ababa in December 2024 to attend the debate for African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship candidates.

Reacting to the duo's new-found friendship, Babu said it is not genuine.

Using the analogy of an ordinary household, the MP pointed out that Sakaja had previously been opposed to Raila's presidential bids, and therefore, the latter ought to know who his genuine supporters are.

According to Babu, Sakaja's sudden friendship with Raila is not honest and only for self-service.

The lawmaker continued to poke holes in Sakaja's tenure at City Hall, arguing he had failed Nairobi.

According to Babu, the governor does not need another term beyond 2027 for supposedly having run down the city.

He constantly accuses the governor of maladministration and failure to enhance mechanisms for the county to realise its total potential in own-revenue sourcing.

Source: TUKO.co.ke