UDA’s Odoyo Owidi Proposes Moving Kenya’s Capital from Nairobi to Narok to Boost Development and Promote National Unity

UDA politician Odoyo Owidi has proposed moving Kenya’s capital from Nairobi to Narok county. He spoke on Monday, January 12, at a NITA conference in Kajiado. Odoyo said the move will spur development in Narok.

“I would suggest we move the capital city from where it is today to Narok so that it also develops as Nairobi has developed. Narok is central,” Odoyo said. He cited Nigeria moving from Lagos to Abuja and Tanzania from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma.

Odoyo criticized leaders who call communities lazy for living near Nairobi. He said they block projects like roads, railways, and airports in other regions. “Some people have even told Kenyans that the Luos, Maasais, Luhyas, and others are lazy, while they are not. A quarter of an acre, you are paid KSh 300 million. You start your business and move on. Then you say others are lazy, yet you do not want roads, railways, or airports in their counties. You even go to court,” he lamented.

He said Kenya must embrace equitable development. All communities should have equal access to resources, including power and infrastructure. “Kenya is for all of us and we must share resources equally and equitably. That is when we will have a country,” Odoyo added.

The proposal has drawn mixed reactions. Some support moving the capital to Narok to reduce congestion in Nairobi. Others suggest different locations or question the plan’s feasibility. Odoyo’s remarks have reignited debates on national unity and fair distribution of development across Kenya.