Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has revealed his amazement over an increase of political friends around Raila Odinga after the former Premier came to government through a broad-based arrangement.
Speaking during the burial of Francis Ngaru, the husband of Mumbi Ngaru (former Thika Mayor), on Friday, May 2, 2025, Sakaja shared details of a grapevine talk he held regarding the burgeoning of people around the veteran politician following his entry to government.
The governor, while acknowledging the Ngaru’s cherished support of Raila, questioned the motives of the newfound friends.
“This morning we gossiped a bit. We were talking about Baba, saying they are those who are there even when it is not convenient. Because there are those who are with Baba only when it is convenient. But when it has been tough, you have been able to stand with Mzee with a few others,” he told the bereaved family.
Sakaja, who says his friendship with Baba goes way back as football buddies, noted that the inception of the broad-based system attracted a list of friends hovering around the ODM politician.
“I have been hanging out with Baba before broad-based while watching football. In those days, there would be three or four of us. These days, when you see a list of PS coming out and of parastatal, you see so many people hovering around Baba. But he knows those who love him and those who are there for him,” he added.
Football buddies
Sakaja, who recently earned Raila’s endorsement for the city’s gubernatorial race, also revealed his admiration for the cordial relationship within Raila’s ODM party.
“I have come to admire how in ODM you’re a true family, and the relationships. When you see Raila talking about a member, he knows the parents and where they live. It is some of the things we need to embrace as a political family,” he added.
Speaking at the same function, Timothy Bosire, the ODM National Treasurer, reiterated calls for Raila to take a stab at the 2027 presidential elections.
Bosire noted that Raila could stand a chance of being the sixth president due to prevailing political conditions.
“I have walked this journey with Raila Amollo Odinga, a man of great character and nature who can provide the required leadership in this country. But because of small attitudes, we are where we are. This is a great man who could have made a difference in this country, and I am making this statement fully aware that I am in the region that has had an interesting attitude when we are electing national leaders,” Bosire stated.