Former nominated senator Gloria Orwoba has openly criticized Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja for alienating his colleagues in the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) after aligning himself closely with the late Raila Odinga.
According to Orwoba, Sakaja had become overconfident in his relationship with the former Prime Minister, assuming that his political future was secure under Raila’s shadow.
However, following Raila’s death, Orwoba now says Sakaja finds himself politically stranded and isolated, forced to face the same UDA members he had previously ignored.
Through a post shared on her social media pages on October 23, 2025, Orwoba said she had received several reminders from party members urging her to call out Sakaja for his earlier arrogance.
She stated that many within UDA had been disregarded by Sakaja, who at the time believed his alliance with Raila and ODM would shield him from internal party pressures.
“I have gotten at least five requests to remind you of how you disregarded many UDA leaders because Baba became your insurance, and so you never needed any of their support as long as you had Baba and ODM,” she wrote.
Her remarks highlighted growing tension within the ruling party following the shifting political ground in Nairobi County.
Orwoba went on to recall specific instances where she personally experienced Sakaja’s lack of cooperation. She said she had pushed for the inclusion of Kileleshwa Primary School in the county’s school feeding programme because many of the students she supports from Kawangware study there.
According to her, Sakaja later launched the same initiative alongside Dagoretti North MP Beatrice Elachi, giving her full credit for work Orwoba had initiated.
“When I remember how hard I worked to get you to take the feeding programme to Kileleshwa Primary, where many students I support from Kawangware now study, alafu ukaenda ukai launch na Elachi, praising her for the work I did,” Orwoba lamented.
Her criticism reflects growing frustrations among UDA leaders who feel neglected by Sakaja, especially after he developed a close working relationship with Raila.
Many believe that Sakaja’s survival in Nairobi politics was heavily tied to Raila’s influence, particularly when the late ODM leader intervened earlier this year to stop Sakaja’s impeachment.
Raila reportedly mediated between the Nairobi County Assembly and the governor, convincing the members to drop the motion against him.
On the same day Orwoba made her remarks, Sakaja visited Raila’s home in Bondo to pay his last respects. The visit was seen as both a gesture of gratitude and a moment of reflection for a leader whose political calculations now seem uncertain.
Orwoba reminded him that UDA members do not hold personal grudges against him but urged him to reflect deeply on his recent political choices.
Her statement adds to the growing debate within UDA about loyalty, strategy, and political maturity. With Raila gone, Sakaja’s future now depends on rebuilding trust with his party colleagues, many of whom feel betrayed. Whether he succeeds in mending these bridges remains to be seen, but Orwoba’s words serve as a sharp reminder of how quickly political fortunes can change when alliances shift.
