Kasarani Member of Parliament Ronald Karauri has officially entered the 2027 Nairobi gubernatorial race, signaling a high-stakes battle for the capital’s top seat.
Karauri announced his candidacy on February 22, 2026, during a bursary issuance ceremony for Grade 10 students in Kasarani. He blamed the city’s persistent struggles on poor leadership and declared his readiness to lead the county toward a better future.
“Shida ya hii Nairobi ni uongozi, si kitu ingine,” he told the crowd. “Kwa hivo nimesema mimi leo nimejitolea, na watu wangu wa Kasarani wamesema wataniunga mkono tuanze hiyo safari. Pia mimi nitakuwa hapo kwa ballot ya governor wa Nairobi,” he said.
Karauri added, “Watu wangu wa Kasarani wamesema wataniunga mkono tuanze hiyo safari. Wacha niende nichukue hiyo kazi.”
He promised residents that their frustrations over basic service failures would end under his leadership, arguing that managing Nairobi is far from complex.
“Wakaazi wa Nairobi wataacha kulia. Unajua tunalia vitu kidogo kidogo sana. Kuprovide hizi service za Nairobi sio kitu ngumu. Na Nairobi iko na budget yake,” he said.
Karauri pointed to garbage collection, county roads, and water supply as vital sectors that require firm direction and better coordination.
“Hizi mambo za garbage collection. Hizi mambo za barabara za county, hizi mambo za maji,” he said, noting that he frequently has to push agencies to address the complaints of the public.
“Mimi ndio naendaga kufukuzana na watu wa Nairobi Water wafanye connection hapa Njiru ndio maji itoke. Hiyo kazi yote sio kazi yangu. So kwa hivo wacha niende nichukue hiyo kazi ndio niweze kuifanya Nairobi mzima.”
Karauri made his declaration just days after President William Ruto and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja signed a cooperation agreement. This pact grants the national government significant financial and operational influence over essential city services, such as waste management, road networks, housing, and the restoration of Nairobi’s rivers.
While Karauri steered clear of the legal arguments surrounding the deal, he left no uncertainty about his political stance.
“Pahali nimewekelea support yangu kwa saaii ni kwa President William Ruto,” he said.