Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has declared his candidacy for the Nairobi gubernatorial seat in the upcoming 2027 General Election, potentially challenging current Governor Johnson Sakaja.
Speaking to residents in the South B neighborhood of Nairobi on Tuesday, November 3, Ruku expressed his readiness to assume leadership of the city and implement reforms designed to enhance service delivery and revitalize the capital.
The Cabinet Secretary emphasized that Nairobi demands a leader characterized by integrity, vision, and robust management capabilities, asserting that the metropolis needs someone equipped to tackle its obstacles and maximize its prospects.
Nairobi serves all citizens of the country, functions as the national capital, and must be governed accordingly as the primary commercial center of East Africa and the broader regional business hub, Ruku remarked.
He emphasized that whoever holds the position of governor must exhibit sincerity, diligence, foresight, and moral uprightness to guide the county toward substantial progress.
Highlighting his background in representative governance, he questioned why his candidacy for the Nairobi governorship should be dismissed.
The public is well aware of his past tenure as an elected official, and he questioned whether any obstacles existed preventing him from running and winning in Nairobi, or if he lacked the capability to manage the county.
Prior to his appointment to President William Ruto’s administration, Ruku represented Mbeere North Constituency as a Member of Parliament, having won the seat during the 2022 General Election under the banner of the Democratic Party of Kenya.
He was appointed to the Cabinet in March 2025, subsequently receiving parliamentary clearance to succeed former Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi in the Public Service portfolio.
Ruku’s declaration arrives amid shifting political dynamics across Nairobi, coinciding with shifts toward the Orange Democratic Movement.
Sakaja was welcomed at the ODM headquarters, Chungwa House, by high-ranking party figures, featuring chairperson Gladys Wanga and Deputy Party Leader Simba Arati.
Concurrently, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino is also preparing his campaign for the governor’s office through the initiative known as the Linda Mwananchi movement.