• The trend began with Evans Kidero, who lost his re-election to Mike Sonko during the 2017 general elections. Mike Sonko’s journey was cut short when he was impeached on December 17, 2020, over abuse of office, gross misconduct and crimes under national law, paving the way for Anne Kananu. The 2022 general elections brought in Johnson Sakaja as Nairobi’s fourth president. 

Nairobi County has set a fascinating trend that has captured the attention of many by having consecutive governors serve for only one, with none being re-elected term into office.

While some argue that it is a reflection of a country’s desire for fresh leadership, others point it to the challenges and complexities of governing the city.

Since the dissolution of power in 2023, Nairobi has had four presidents. Evans Kidero was Nairobi’s first governor, serving his term from March 27, 2013, to August 21, 2017; Mike Sonko was in office from August 21, 2017, to December 17, 2020.

Ann Kananu was Nairobi’s first female Governor, serving her term from January 15, 2021, to 2022. The current Governor of Nairobi County is Johnson Sakaja.

The trend began with Evans Kidero, who lost his re-election to Mike Sonko during the 2017 general elections. Mike Sonko’s journey was cut short when he was impeached on December 17, 2020, over abuse of office, gross misconduct and crimes under national law, paving the way for Anne Kananu. The 2022 general elections brought in Johnson Sakaja as Nairobi’s fourth president.

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As we near the 2027 general elections, many Nairobi residents say that Governor Sakaja will not be elected into office, following the trend of his predecessors.

However, the Governor in an interview stood firm on his ground by saying that most people have vowed to vote for him in 2027, having fulfilled what he promised in his manifesto. "The beauty of a democracy is that people will choose at that time I wish I came with my manifesto., I am just ticking the boxes of what we promised,” he said

As the country approaches the next election cycle, all eyes are on Governor Sakaja to see if he will be the first to break the one-term governor term and secure a second term in office.