Nominated Senator Karen Nyamu has declared her intention to contest the Nairobi Woman Representative seat in the 2027 General Election, arguing that the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has sufficient political support in the capital to secure the position.
Speaking during an interview on TV47 Breakfast, Nyamu said UDA had established a strong presence in Nairobi, pointing to its representation in the Nairobi County Assembly as evidence of the party's influence.
She claimed that the party currently has approximately 31 elected and nominated Members of the County Assembly (MCAs), arguing that its political strength in the city should not be underestimated.
ALSO READ
“UDA is the party that has delivered in Nairobi. Every other thing you see that has been achieved in Nairobi has been done under a UDA government,” Nyamu said.
The senator also defended her political record, saying she had remained active in the Senate, championed legislative proposals and supported communities through fundraising initiatives and other engagements.
Nyamu maintained that UDA remained one of the popular political parties in Nairobi and said its performance in the capital gave her confidence ahead of the next general election.
UDA-ODM political arrangement
The senator further argued that UDA deserved a place in the broad-based political arrangement because of its presence in Nairobi.
Her remarks come amid discussions involving several political figures, including Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja and Lang'ata MP Phelix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang'o, over possible coalition arrangements and elective positions in the capital.
On whether UDA and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) would field separate candidates for elective positions in Nairobi, Nyamu said the parties would need to agree on a formula to avoid splitting their support.
“We are not going to field two candidates competing against each other. We are not going to have a UDA governor candidate competing with the ODM governor candidate. Same with women rep and senator,” she said.
Asked whether this meant that either she or incumbent Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris would have to abandon their ambitions, Nyamu acknowledged that one of them could be required to step aside.
“Definitely. 100 per cent,” she responded.
Nyamu added that she believed the Nairobi Woman Representative position was likely to go to UDA, depending on the outcome of coalition negotiations.
She argued that political alliances require compromise and that some aspirants may have to sacrifice their individual ambitions to accommodate agreed coalition arrangements.
Her declaration signals an emerging contest for the Nairobi Woman Representative seat ahead of the 2027 elections, with the eventual outcome likely to be influenced by party negotiations and the political arrangements between UDA and ODM.