Nairobi's gubernatorial race begins two years early as the businesswoman rallies Mt Kenya grassroots leaders to unseat the incumbent.

The drums of the 2027 General Election have begun to beat, and the rhythm is emanating not from the capital, but from the heart of the Mountain. Agnes Kagure, the formidable businesswoman and city politician, has effectively fired the starting gun on her bid for Nairobi's top seat. In a high-stakes consultative meeting held in Nyeri this weekend, Kagure convened a war council of grassroots leaders to operationalize her political vehicle, the Kenya Patriots Party (KPP).

This was not merely a tea-drinking affair; it was a strategic mobilization. By choosing Nyeri—her ancestral home and a critical political nerve center—Kagure is signaling a consolidation of her base before launching a full-scale assault on City Hall. Her message to the gathered delegates was sharp and unequivocal: the era of "trial and error" leadership in Nairobi is over. The "Patriots" movement is positioning itself as the disciplined, governance-first alternative to the current administration.

"Form Karibu Kuiva"

Kagure's strategy appears to be a hybrid of corporate efficiency and grassroots populism. During the sessions, she unveiled the core pillars of the KPP manifesto, which prioritizes "working systems" over political rhetoric. The slogan emerging from her camp—"Form Karibu Kuiva" (The plan is almost ready)—suggests a meticulously crafted roadmap rather than a spontaneous ambition. She is banking on the growing disillusionment with the state of public services in Nairobi, from garbage collection to water rationing, to fuel her ascent.

The involvement of the Kikuyu Council of Elders, specifically her engagement with Chairman Wachira wa Kiago, adds a layer of cultural legitimacy to her bid. In the complex matrix of Nairobi politics, where ethnic arithmetic often dictates outcomes, securing the blessing of the "Mountain" is a prerequisite for any serious contender. Kagure is ensuring her backyard is locked down early, preventing the fragmentation that has plagued previous candidates.

The Battle for the Capital

The timing of this offensive is calculated. With the incumbent administration facing mid-term fatigue and criticism over urban planning execution, Kagure senses a vacuum. Her approach differs from the raucous rallies of the past; she is building a party structure first. The KPP is being marketed not just as a vehicle for her candidacy, but as a platform for "equal opportunities"—a coded appeal to the youth and the business community who feel locked out of the city's tender-driven economy.

• Governance Reform: KPP is promising a digitised, transparent City Hall to eliminate the cartels that choke service delivery.
• Grassroots Expansion: The Nyeri meeting is the first of a nationwide tour to install interim party leadership, ensuring KPP has a national face.
• The Gender Card: As a leading female politician, Kagure is also consolidating the women's vote, framing her leadership as the "motherly but firm" hand Nairobi needs.

As the meeting concluded, Kagure's directive to the Secretary General, Dick Kamau, was clear: formalize the structures immediately. The 2027 race will not be won on the podiums of 2026, but in the boardrooms of 2025. For Nairobi's current occupants, the message from Nyeri is ominous—the Patriots are coming, and they are organized.