A balancing act for ODM in Nairobi over Westlands , Langata and Nairobi in 2027 as Hon Tim Wanyonyi exits for Nairobi Governorship.

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Westlands MP Hon Timothy Wanyonyi Wetangula has had a strong grip on Westlands constituency for three solid uninterrupted terms.

The younger brother to Ford Kenya party boss and National assembly speaker Hon Moses Masika Wetangula, he  has his eyes firmly fixed on unseating Governor  Sakaja in 2027.

Hon Wanyonyi’s mission to become governor encountered bad weather in 2022 as Azimio settled on Igathe as flag bearer thus relegating Wanyonyi back to Westlands

Hon Alvin Olando Palapala is in pole position to replace Tim in Westlands.

Even as all this was happening, Kitusuru MCA Hon Alvin Olando Palapala had already positioned himself as heir apparent. Alvin has since maintained a closer link with both the outgoing MP and the constituents to a point he is at times referred to as the acting MP not because Tim is away but just to prepare him for the daunting task ahead.

With the Kitusuru MCA Hon Alvin enjoying a growing  ground support, ODM has now been forced to revise its plan and have party SG Sen Sifuna contest in Langata against the UDA bound Jalang’o. Initially the party wanted Sifuna to run in Westlands in 2022 which even forced the fiery senator to register as a voter in Westlands.

“We have been forced back to the drawing board. This time round, there is no stopping Tim from  pursuing  his gubernatorial ambitions in Nairobi, as a party we shall accord him all the necessary support in his enterprise. While doing that, we are also aware that we cannot have both the governor and the senator coming from the same community ie the Luhya nation. We shall therefore persuade Sen Sifuna to consider becoming Raila’s MP in Langata after all Jalang’o has crossed over to kenya Kwanza. This will then pave way for Kitusuru MCA Alvin Palapala to have a stab at Westlands seat. It is however to early to make the above conclusions since we still have 4 years and even a day in politics is such a long time” an ODM insider who did not wish to be named confided in us.

Many political pundits had cast their lots on Sifuna replacing Wanyonyi in Westlands but the Luhya intra clan politics raised its ugly head again.

Westlands has a considerable number of the Luhya community who command the highest singlemost block. The Luhyas drawn from Busia, Bungoma, Trans Nzoia and Kakamega/Vihiga have rallied behind Fred Gumo from Busia and now Tim Wanyonyi from Bungoma. The feeling on the ground has mutually agreed to rally behind Kitusuru MCA Hon Alvin who is seen as representing  Kakamega/Vihiga interests.

“In 2022 we all rallied behind Hon Tim Wanyonyi against Mulama of ANC and Havi of UDA. Our support was predicated on Hon Tim Wanyonyi grooming our brother Hon Alvin Palapala to succeed him. We are happy that Tim has honored his pledge and he is now rallying his base behind Alvin Palapala for MP 2027″ Isaac Madiavale a native of Vihiga county who votes in Kangemi central said.

ODM’s other two MCAs from Mountain view and Kangemi central have also thrown their weight behind Palapala. With Parklands also expected to back Palapala, the road to parliament for the third term MCA looks like a foregone conclusions.

Passaris could retain her position as women rep in ODM’s arithmetic while Kajuang or Oluoch could go for senate seat in 2027.

For ethnic balance, Passaris is likely to retain her position as woman rep while a luo is to take over from Sifuna as senator Nairobi.

Mathare MP Anthony Oluoch and or Ruaraka legislator TJ kajwang are all set to go for Nairobi senatorship