Johnson Sakaja is Nairobi County’s Governor-elect.
Sakaja, UDA, beat Polycarp Igathe from Jubilee in a hotly contested gubernatorial race punctuated with controversy about Sakaja’s academic credentials.
Igathe conceded in a tweet posted on his personal Twitter account.
“I accept the decision of the people of Nairobi and thank all our supporters. The Governor of Nairobi is His Excellency Johnson Sakaja. Congratulations! God bless Kenya,” Igathe tweeted.
Sakaja is one of the rare UDA success stories in Nairobi, beat Igathe 699,392 to 573,516 votes.
In another hotly contested race, ODM’s Esther Passaris defeated UDA’s Millicent Omanga to retain her Woman Representative position in the National Assembly. Passaris beat Omanga, a UDA darling known for her dancing moves on the campaign trail, 698,929 to 586,246 votes.
Omanga conceded defeat in a magnanimous tweet.
“I want to thank the people of Nairobi who voted for me and those who didn’t. I accept the results even though they’re not in my favour. @EstherPassaris has won. She deserves our support and prayers as she steers the office of Woman Rep for the next 5 years. May God bless our country,” Omanga said.
Edwin Sifuna (ODM) beat Bishop Margaret Wanjiru (UDA) in the Senatorial race by garnering 716,876 to Wanjiru’s 524,091.
“Asante Mungu. Asante Nairobi,” Sifuna tweeted.
ODM’s performance in Nairobi has raised questions about whether Sakaja would be able to govern while members of the opposition surrounded him.
His situation could get even more complicated if Azimio la Umoja wins the presidency and Raila Odinga becomes his highest profile constituent.