Ronald Karauri joins UDA for Nairobi governor race
Kasarani MP Ronald Karauri has officially joined the United Democratic Alliance, aiming to challenge for the Nairobi governor seat in 2027.
Kasarani MP Ronald Karauri officially joined the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) on November 9, 2026, positioning himself for a 2027 Nairobi governor bid. Karauri, a former SportPesa chief executive, previously announced his intention to run for the city's top seat in February. He entered Parliament in 2022 as an independent candidate after winning the Kasarani constituency seat.
Karauri’s move follows Governor Johnson Sakaja’s defection from UDA to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) on November 2. Sakaja, elected on a UDA ticket in 2022, is expected to seek a second term with ODM. Karauri had previously criticized Sakaja’s move, stating the governor was seeking a new platform to avoid scrutiny of his performance. Karauri promised to address issues like poor roads, garbage collection, and water shortages.
The Kasarani legislator plans to audit building approvals, improve revenue collection, and redirect county spending. He believes Nairobi can enhance service delivery without new taxes, citing uncollected revenue and expenditure weaknesses. Karauri also pledged to improve accountability in county spending, address staffing shortages in health facilities, and clear drainage systems.