Jubilee Party deputy Organizing Secretary, Pauline Njoroge, has urged political actors to move beyond ethnic-based strategies in Nairobi, warning that relying solely on Kikuyu votes would be insufficient to secure electoral victories in the city.
Speaking on the political landscape of the capital, Njoroge highlighted the need for broader coalitions that address the diverse interests of Nairobi residents.
Njoroge noted that while Kikuyus form the largest single voting bloc in Nairobi, representing nearly 35% of the electorate, they do not constitute a majority.
She emphasized that past elections demonstrate no single community can dominate the capital, pointing to the 2013 contest where former governor Evans Kidero defeated Francis Waititu, the only Kikuyu candidate to approach a victory due to strong engagement with grassroots voters.
The deputy secretary also reflected on the 2022 election, where Jubilee encouraged ODM to leave the Nairobi governorship race to the party as part of broader presidential support.
Njoroge argued that the outcome underscored the principle that leadership performance, rather than ethnicity, determines voter support.
“His failure is not because he is a non-Kikuyu. It is because he is not a good leader. He has failed all communities in Nairobi,” she said.
She warned that approaching the 2027 elections with a narrow tribal focus could benefit President William Ruto, who she said would rally voters feeling marginalized.
Instead, Njoroge urged Jubilee and allied parties to prioritize strategies based on ideas, credibility, and competence, stressing that the city’s electorate is shaped by residents in both informal settlements and middle-class neighborhoods.
According to Njoroge, the United Opposition’s vision for Nairobi focuses on inclusive governance and effective service delivery.
She emphasized the importance of selecting leaders capable of addressing infrastructure, sanitation, and urban management challenges while positioning Nairobi as a regional economic hub.
Njoroge highlighted that winning Nairobi will require careful coalition-building that cuts across ethnic lines and engages the full spectrum of the city’s population.
She stressed that a transformative, city-focused leadership, rather than ethnic loyalty, should guide strategies for the 2027 elections.