A surprise political alliance for Nairobi’s 2027 gubernatorial race has imploded just days after its unveiling, with former Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria alleging that his running mate, Makadara MP George Aladwa, was pressured to withdraw.

The nascent pact, which sought to unite Kuria and the long-serving ODM legislator, has unraveled spectacularly, revealing the intense, behind-the-scenes power plays already shaping the city's political future. This fallout not only resets the stage for the gubernatorial contest but also raises critical questions about political autonomy and the unseen forces influencing Nairobi’s leadership battles.

In a dramatic reversal, Mr. Aladwa publicly disavowed the partnership, firmly stating his own ambition to capture City Hall. “I have said I will not be Moses Kuria's deputy,” Aladwa declared, emphasizing his intent to run for governor on an ODM party ticket. His decision came shortly after Kuria had promoted their cross-party ticket as a solution driven “not because of our tribes... but because we care for Nairobi.”

High-Level Coercion Alleged

Mr. Kuria did not mince words, attributing the collapse of the deal to intimidation from the highest levels of power. He claimed Aladwa was summoned by “holders of extremely powerful offices” and ordered to denounce their agreement. “I respect his decision,” Kuria noted in a statement, before issuing a warning to the unnamed officials: “By doing this, you have let the cat out of the bag too early. Now we know your 2027 game plan.”

While the specific officials remain unnamed, the allegation injects a volatile element into the pre-election season, suggesting that the path to unseating incumbent Governor Johnson Sakaja will be fraught with political interference. Aladwa, a former Nairobi Mayor and the current ODM Nairobi Branch Chairman, has opted to reaffirm his loyalty to his party and pursue his own campaign.

A Crowded Field Takes Shape

The swift collapse of the Kuria-Aladwa ticket underscores the increasingly competitive landscape for Nairobi's leadership. The race to govern Kenya's economic hub is already attracting a host of political heavyweights. Those who have declared or signaled their interest include:

• George Aladwa: Makadara MP and ODM Nairobi Chair, now running on his party's ticket.
• Moses Kuria: Former CS, now proceeding with his bid to “fix Nairobi.”
• Babu Owino: Embakasi East MP, who has also officially declared his candidacy.
• Johnson Sakaja: The incumbent governor, who is widely expected to defend his seat.

This early maneuvering signals a grueling political season ahead for Nairobi residents. The central issue remains whether the city's chronic problems—from garbage collection to infrastructure decay—will be addressed by a new crop of leaders or if political infighting will once again sideline the urgent needs of the electorate.

As the dust settles on this broken pact, the focus now shifts to how both Kuria and Aladwa will navigate their independent campaigns in a field where alliances are evidently fragile and powerful interests are already at play.