A fresh political storm is brewing in Nairobi after Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua publicly invited Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino to ditch the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and seek refuge — or even tickets — in his party ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking on Wednesday, December 3, Gachagua claimed President William Ruto had effectively “bought ODM”, and was now edging out perceived dissenters — starting with Sifuna and Babu.
“William Ruto has said, once he buys ODM, he doesn’t want Sifuna there,” Gachagua said, positioning himself as the political safe house the two ODM titans may soon need.
Gachagua praised Sifuna as an able leader whose political future, he alleged, was now threatened within ODM.
“Sifuna, my brother, you are a good leader. If you are chased from ODM, you are welcome in DCP. I have no problem with DCP supporting you to remain Senator of Nairobi,” he stated.
The offer marks a dramatic twist in Nairobi politics, where Sifuna has long been a central figure in ODM’s leadership.
The DCP leader didn’t stop there. He also extended the same invitation to Embakasi East MP Babu Owino — who has openly set his eyes on the Nairobi gubernatorial seat and recently voiced frustrations about internal ODM politics.
“Ruto said even Babu Owino will have to leave ODM. Babu, if you are chased, come to DCP,” Gachagua said.
“If Babu and Sifuna feel uncomfortable in DCP, they can go to Wiper, our partner.”
His remarks intensify speculation about possible realignments in Nairobi’s 2027 race.
In a bold dismissal of the President’s political base in the capital, Gachagua declared that his DCP would easily dominate Nairobi’s electoral landscape.
“If ODM follows William Ruto, they will get nothing in Nairobi. He has 24,000 votes here. I am clear in my mind that we will win,” he asserted.
The statement adds fuel to an already heated scramble for Nairobi’s future political control.
Even as Gachagua courts ODM heavyweights, Orange House has been working overtime to quell internal jitters.
On Babu Owino:
ODM elder Dr. Oburu Oginga, during a meeting on October 30, gave the strongest assurance yet:
“Babu symbolises the determination of our youth. If he wins the nominations, he will get the ODM ticket. There is no scheme to block him.”
On Sifuna:
The Nairobi Senator has been pushing back against narratives suggesting ODM is being swallowed by the Kenya Kwanza administration. Alongside Siaya Governor James Orengo, he recently argued that the ruling regime needs ODM more than ODM needs it.
“We want accountability. Ruto needs ODM; it’s not ODM that needs Ruto,” Orengo said.
Sifuna echoed the sentiment:
“Anyone in ODM can become President. We must return to our roots and stop begging for what is rightfully ours.”
The comments were triggered by warnings from Winnie Odinga, who recently cautioned that unnamed figures were secretly compromising ODM’s independence.
The DCP leader’s overture lands at a politically sensitive moment:
ODM is grappling with internal anxiety over alleged infiltration by the ruling coalition.
Babu Owino is fighting claims that the Nairobi ODM ticket may slip away from him.
Sifuna has repeatedly dismissed rumours of an ODM–Ruto alignment.
Gachagua is actively positioning DCP as Nairobi’s next big political force.
With 2027 drawing closer, the battle for Nairobi has officially erupted — and Gachagua’s new charm offensive may be the opening shot in a wider realignment war.
