The contest for Nairobi’s Senate seat is gathering momentum, with the entry of nominated Senator Crystal Asige adding a new dimension to a race that had already attracted considerable interest from East African Legislative Assembly MP Winnie Odinga and Lang’ata MP Phelix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang’o.
What initially appeared to be a potential contest between two politicians associated with the late Raila Odinga’s political legacy is now taking shape around three politicians with similar political roots and legislative experience.
Asige, an ODM nominated senator representing people living with disabilities, declared her intention to contest the seat in the 2027 General Election on Sunday, October 18, challenging voters to consider her record in Parliament.
“I have the responsibility to protect our young people who are in business and those in special needs schools in the country. All of these I have done as a fresh leader in Parliament, even as a nominated senator, and that is my track record,” she said.
She cited the Persons with Disabilities Act among her legislative initiatives, presenting her work on disability rights and the protection of vulnerable groups as evidence of her commitment to public service.
Asige urged Nairobi residents to look beyond her current nominated position and consider what she could achieve if elected to represent the county.
“I ask you to grant me permission to continue serving you and protecting Kenyans. If you vote for me, imagine how much more I will do for you here in Embakasi and the wider Nairobi County as a senator. Asige is coming as the Nairobi senator in 2027,” she said.
She reinforced the declaration in Swahili: “Asige anasija kama Senator wa Nairobi 2027.”
Asige is banking on leveraging her legislative record to boost her campaign, pointing to seven Bills as evidence of her work, arguing that her experience has prepared her to serve Nairobi residents directly.
Her entry in the race introduces an argument that differs from the political appeal surrounding Winnie and Jalang’o.
Rather than relying principally on political association to ODM or an established electoral profile, Asige is asking voters to assess what she says she has delivered in Parliament.
That claim will form part of the debate as the race gathers pace, although a stellar legislative track record alone is not a guarantee that voters will respond to a candidate seeking an elective seat.
Winnie, meanwhile, announced her bid during the first anniversary commemoration of her father’s death at Migwena Grounds in Bondo, Siaya county, on October 15.
Her declaration was framed around the opening she sees in Nairobi as incumbent Senator Edwin Sifuna considers pursuing the presidency.
“Let it not be a rumour that as Edwin Sifuna searches for higher offices, I see there is some space in Nairobi, and that is why I have decided I will vie for Senator of Nairobi county,” she told the gathering.
Her entry carries the weight of Raila's name and its long association with opposition politics.
But the challenge will be translating that recognition into support across Nairobi’s diverse electorate, where voters will also weigh candidates’ records, priorities and ability to represent their interests.
Jalang’o, who has already expressed his intention to seek the seat, welcomed Winnie’s entry while suggesting it had not only raised the stakes, but also elevated the seriousness of the contest.
“Winnie’s entry into the race makes it even more exciting, competitive and serious because the other people who announced their bid were not as serious,” he said.
His response was not an indication that he intended to step aside, but reinforced his determination to remain in the race despite the arrival of a contender whose political profile is solid.
Jalang'o and Winnie share an association with the former Prime Minister, but that does not necessarily translate into identical political influence or an equal share of his former support base.
Their respective campaigns will have to establish their own appeal among Nairobi voters.
Asige’s entry further complicates the calculations. Her legislative record nothwithstanding, her role as an ODM nominated legislator and her close association with Linda Mwananchi Movement leaders adds another layer of complexity to the political alignments surrounding the contest.
The question of party tickets could prove decisive. Winnie has not specified the political vehicle through which she intends to contest, while Jalang’o has expressed his intention to pursue the ODM ticket.
Asige’s eventual political alignment with Linda Mwananchi Movement could narrow the ticket contest to two possible scenarios: Jalang'o vs Winnie for the ODM ticket or Winnie vs Asige for Linda Mwananchi's.
The nomination arrangement, therefore, presents the first real challenge facing each of the three hopefuls as the campaigns take shape.
If the aspirants converge on the same party ticket, the nominations could become the litmus test that could break or keep alive their competing ambitions.
If they pursue different political vehicles, their choices could largely mirror the wider realignments taking place within the opposition ranks ahead of 2027.
For ODM, the contest could test its ability to manage prominent aspirants banking on the same support base.
For the candidates, it will require more than declarations of interest: each must persuade voters that their political background, record or vision best answers their needs.
With the election day 294 days away, the race is still taking shape and it is too early to determine who has the strongest support as yet.
But with Raila's political legacy offering Winnie some leverage, Jalang’o insisting he is ready for a more competitive contest and Asige putting her legislative record forward, the battle for Nairobi’s Senate seat is shaping up to an unprecedented highstakes race.
Whether it becomes the hottest contest of the 2027 election will depend on how the field develops in the coming days.
What is already clear is that Asige's entry has broadened the debate beyond party loyalty and political inheritance to include performance and the strategy each candidate will employ to appeal to Nairobi residents.
