Kasarani Member of Parliament Ronald Karauri says his decision to seek the Nairobi governorship is driven by what he considers a growing failure to address the capital’s everyday problems, insisting that his ambition is about solving challenges rather than pursuing another political position.
Karauri, who is positioning himself for the governor’s seat, says he believes his experience in business, aviation and public service has prepared him to take on the responsibility of managing the country’s capital.
“There’s a problem we have in Nairobi. And it needs fixing. That’s the reason I’m going for governor,” he said during an interview.
He dismissed the idea that his gubernatorial ambition is simply about moving to a higher political office, saying his interest is centred on addressing problems that affect residents.
“Politics is not about climbing to another level. It’s about solving a particular problem. I’m trying to solve a particular problem,” he said.
Karauri pointed to recurring building collapses and flooding as some of the issues that have strengthened his resolve to seek the position.
He argued that failures in building approvals, planning and enforcement put residents at risk, while inadequate drainage management continues to expose parts of Nairobi to flooding.
The MP said he believes he is equipped to address these challenges and that he has a responsibility to step forward if he has the capacity to make a difference.
His journey into politics, he explained, began through business and community engagements rather than a long-standing ambition to hold public office.
Karauri said he was involved in corporate social responsibility initiatives that included supporting hospitals with maternal healthcare equipment, particularly facilities that lacked adequate equipment for deliveries.
During one of his visits to Kasarani, he said residents encouraged him to represent them in Parliament.
That experience eventually led him into elective politics, culminating in his election as Kasarani MP in 2022.
He now points to his record in the constituency as evidence of what he believes he can bring to a larger administration.
Karauri claimed that projects supported through the Constituency Development Fund had helped deliver approximately 79 classrooms and bursaries to about 18,000 beneficiaries who had previously not received assistance.
He said the work had not received enough publicity but maintained that residents and parents in Kasarani were familiar with the projects.
“We’ve built approximately 79 classrooms. We’ve given bursaries to the tune of, I think, 18,000 beneficiaries who had never got bursaries before,” he said.
Karauri acknowledged that some constituents would prefer him to remain in Kasarani, but said he hoped the work already undertaken would continue under new leadership.
His political journey has also shaped his approach to the next election.
He recalled being denied a party ticket during his first campaign and said the experience taught him to focus on direct engagement with voters instead of relying on political party structures.
“I learned that my campaign is with the people rather than the big parties,” he said.
He said he was applying a similar strategy in his pursuit of the Nairobi seat, currently engaging voters while not formally attached to a political party.
However, he clarified that he expects to eventually run on a party or coalition ticket.
“I will definitely find a coalition where I can run on their ticket for governor of Nairobi. That is for sure,” he said.
Karauri also addressed questions about the potential conflict between holding public office and his business interests.
He said that if elected governor, he would resign from his position at SportPesa to avoid influencing corporate decisions for personal benefit.
“I do not wish to go influence a business decision based on my personal interest,” he said, adding that he could potentially remain involved in sports sponsorship in his personal capacity.
The MP’s political pitch is built around ; that Nairobi needs leadership focused on practical solutions, accountability and efficient management.
His proposed priorities include improving waste collection, reforming building approval processes, addressing flooding, supporting small businesses and strengthening county healthcare services.
For Karauri, the decision to seek the governorship is therefore rooted in his belief that Nairobi’s problems require a different approach to county leadership.
“I believe I’m equipped to solve those challenges that Nairobi has,” he said.
