As Nairobians clamour for a change in leadership, a number of city politicians have thrown their hats into the ring positioning themselves to take over from Governor Johnson Sakaja whose poll numbers have been sagging for a while now.

In the latest opinion poll by Centre for African Progress, former Dagoretti South MP Dennis Waweru is second with 33% behind Babu Owino, MP for Embakasi East who leads with 36%. 

There is something notable about Waweru, among the top five contenders, he leads the Mt. Kenya candidates who include Embakasi North MP. James Gakuya who scores 5% and Murang’a politician Mr. Irungu Nyakera who gets just 1%.  

Mr. Nyakera already tried running for governor in his native Murang’a County where he got less than 300 votes. 

Waweru’s continued dominance among the “molima” candidates is significant because as Mr. Gachagua’s Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) starts to scout for a formidable candidate to include in the United Opposition’s Nairobi County gubernatorial ticket, there will be an effort to identify the best candidate. 

According to respected pollster Onchari Oyieyo who runs the Centre for African Progress (CAP), Waweru’s understanding of Nairobi City politics, his corporate image, and popularity especially among Mt. Kenya voters in the city make him a natural favourite for DCP. 

The other candidates from Mt. Kenya are either unknown in Nairobi or considered unfit to carry the heavy title of governorship. 

The possibility of a joint ticket for Babu Owino and Dennis Waweru cannot be ruled out since Owino has already openly stated his support for the United Opposition presumptive presidential candidate, Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka.