From Sakaja to Ochieng Ondugi Randa: Sakaja 'adopted' by Luo elders, endorsed for re-election
Politics
By
Rodgers Otiso
| Nov 11, 2026
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has received a major boost for a re-election after he was endorsed by the Luo Council of Elders and received a symbolic Luo cultural identity.
The elders gave the county chief the greenlight to seek votes from the Luo community in Nairobi and believes the move also augments his efforts to strengthen his political ties with the ODM party.
The elders bestowed upon him the cultural name Ochieng Odungi Randa, formally welcoming him into the community and urging Luo voters to support his bid for a second term as Nairobi Governor.
Interestingly, the name resembles that of the Luo Council of Elders chairperson Odungi Randa.
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During the meeting on Tuesday, Randa and other elders blessed Sakaja, drawing on his close association with the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to appeal for the community's support.
“If you loved Baba Raila, vote for Ochieng Sakaja, because Baba Raila was with him,” Ker Randa said.
READ: Why Sakaja has ditched UDA for ODM
The endorsement comes barely a week after Sakaja joined the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), abandoning the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) in a political realignment ahead of the 2027 elections.
Sakaja maintained that his decision to join ODM did not amount to a departure from the broad-based government, arguing that both parties remained part of the same political arrangement.
“ODM and UDA are in the broad-based government. Our presidential candidate is one, William Ruto. Moving from UDA to ODM is just changing rooms in the same house,” he said.
The Nairobi Governor was in Kisumu after honouring an invitation extended to him by the elders during the burial of the late former Homa Bay Senator Otieno Kajwang’s wife.
He was accompanied by Nairobi City County Assembly Speaker Kennedy Ng’ondi, Ruaraka MP TJ Kajwang, members of his County Executive Committee and several MCAs led by Majority Leader Peter Imwatok.
The elders welcomed Sakaja, offered him their blessings and pledged to visit him in Nairobi in the coming days, further cementing the cultural ties established during the meeting.
ALSO READ: How Sakaja's decision to ditch UDA sparked discord in ruling alliance
Earlier, Sakaja paid a courtesy call on Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o, in a visit that the county boss described as historic, being the first time a sitting Nairobi Governor had paid him a courtesy visit in Kisumu.
Nyong’o said the delegation had also visited to convey condolences to him and his wife, Mama Kisumu, Dorothy Nyong’o, following the death of his father-in-law, Mzee Laban Onyango Buyu.
“We are deeply touched by this thoughtful gesture of solidarity and compassion,” Nyong’o said.
He said the engagement also provided an opportunity for the two county leaders to compare notes on public service delivery, share experiences and exchange ideas on governance.
Nyong’o noted that the management of cities and counties presented shared challenges and opportunities that required continuous dialogue, collaboration and learning from one another.
Sakaja's visit to Kisumu is part of a series of engagements with the ODM leadership and the Odinga family since he announced his decision to join the party.
Following his entry into ODM, he received the blessing of party leader Oburu Oginga before visiting Ambassador Mama Ida Odinga, in what marked further engagement with the party's leadership and the family of the late Raila Odinga.