As the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) prepares for its highly anticipated county chairmanship primaries in April 2024, the race for the Nairobi County Chair position has intensified between two prominent party figures: Makadara MP George Aladwa and Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi.
George Aladwa, a long-serving ODM leader in Nairobi, has exuded confidence in securing re-election as the ODM Nairobi County Chair. Reflecting on the recent grassroots elections, where he believes his team secured significant victories, Aladwa stated, “Team Aladwa is leading, and come next year, we are more than ready.” His political experience, which includes serving as Nairobi’s mayor from 2011 to 2013 and two terms as a Member of Parliament, positions him as the continuity candidate in the party. Aladwa’s confidence is further bolstered by the success of his allies in securing various positions across the city.
On the other hand, Tim Wanyonyi, who has declared his intention to run for Nairobi Governor in 2027, has positioned himself as a dynamic alternative to Aladwa’s leadership. Despite his gubernatorial ambitions, Wanyonyi remains steadfast in his loyalty to ODM and its core values, stressing that he will not align with the current government. His supporters have reported successes in various polling stations in Westlands, intensifying the competition between the two seasoned leaders.
The ODM grassroots elections in Nairobi have been largely peaceful, with delegates praising the process. However, tensions erupted in Kayole when clashes broke out between opposing factions, resulting in a temporary disruption. Police were forced to intervene, and the election in Kayole was eventually cancelled. The election has been rescheduled for a later date, as the party works to ensure a fair and peaceful process.
With the primaries fast approaching, both Aladwa and Wanyonyi are leveraging their strong grassroots support and leadership experience to secure their positions within the party. The outcome of this highly competitive race is expected to play a significant role in shaping ODM’s strategy for the 2027 general elections, and will have a lasting impact on the party’s leadership and direction in Nairobi.