MP Karauri declares Nairobi governor bid as 2027 race heats up

Kasarani MP Ronald Karauri officially entered the race for the Nairobi gubernatorial seat in the 2027 general elections. Speaking in Njiru during a bursary issuance event, the lawmaker confirmed his intention to seek the county’s top job, seeking the blessing of his constituents to move beyond the constituency level. He assured residents that they would no longer cry over small things if he took office, arguing that delivering services in Nairobi is not complicated. “In 2027, I will be there asking for the Governor's seat,” Karauri told the cheering crowd in Swahili. “People of Kasarani, have you accepted that I go for it? Have you granted me permission?” Karauri pointed to basic services such as garbage collection, county roads and water supply as areas that require firm leadership and coordination. The MP said he would not let his supporters down, emphasising that his political journey relies entirely on their backing. “With you, I know we will go until the end. If God says that is the journey we are taking, no one can stop it,” he added. His remarks come at a time when the governance of Nairobi has sparked national debate. President William Ruto and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja recently signed a cooperation agreement that allows the national government to take financial and operational responsibility for key county functions, including waste management, roads, housing and river regeneration. The Sh80 billion framework has divided opinion. Supporters argue that it will improve service delivery in a city struggling with waste, poor roads and water shortages. Critics, including some opposition leaders, claim it undermines devolution and echoes the 2020 Nairobi Metropolitan Services model. Karauri did not dwell on the legal arguments surrounding the pact, but he made clear where he stands politically. A businessman and former pilot, Karauri entered Parliament in 2022 after winning the Kasarani seat as an independent candidate. Before politics, he worked for Kenya Airways and later led SportPesa as its chief executive, helping the betting firm secure major sponsorship deals locally and abroad. His entry into the governor’s race adds to a growing list of potential contenders. Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has declared his interest in the Nairobi governor’s seat, joining other city politicians expected to enter the race. Nairobi remains one of the most coveted political prizes in the country. As Kenya’s capital and economic hub, it controls a multi-billion-shilling budget and serves more than six million residents. The next governor will inherit both opportunity and pressure, especially if the cooperation framework with the national government continues beyond its initial term. Governor Sakaja has insisted that he has not transferred county functions and cannot sign away the authority of City Hall. He has argued that the agreement merely strengthens cooperation under existing laws and helps the county meet its obligations, including wage bills and infrastructure demands. Still, questions over accountability and oversight persist. The High Court is set to hear petitions challenging the agreement, while members of the County Assembly have demanded greater scrutiny of its financial and legal basis. Against this backdrop, Karauri has positioned himself as a practical problem-solver. He framed his bid as a response to residents’ frustrations rather than a personal ambition.