Nairobi MPs accuse Governor Sakaja of neglect and poor leadership

A group of Nairobi MPs has accused Governor Johnson Sakaja of failing to deliver on his mandate, citing poor service delivery, a lack of cooperation with elected leaders, and negligence in addressing critical issues affecting residents.

Speaking during an interview with Citizen TV, the MPs criticised Sakaja for sidelining local leaders and ignoring the electorate that voted him into office.

Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi revealed that repeated attempts to engage Sakaja on key issues had failed, accusing him of cutting off communication and refusing to collaborate with city leaders.

"I have tried calling the guy, but he doesn’t pick up. Even if you try, the phone doesn’t go through—we’ve tried everything, and nothing works. He only attended one meeting with Nairobi MPs, where we agreed he would share his work schedule so we could coordinate and support his efforts. Any governor who works with local leaders—MPs and MCAs—will always have an easier time," Wanyonyi said.

He added that even during emergencies, such as last year’s floods, attempts to contact the governor went unanswered.

"I called him directly because his office handles disaster management. But there was no response. We ended up hiring private equipment to assist residents. We’ve tried everything and failed. Now, we’ve left the rest to God," he said.

Wanyonyi claimed that his withdrawal from the 2022 Nairobi gubernatorial race, following pressure from the Azimio la Umoja coalition, played a major role in Sakaja’s victory. He said his supporters were angered by the coalition’s decision to replace him with Polycarp Igathe, leading many to vote for Sakaja instead.

"Even though I wanted that seat, the truth is I was in the race. And this guy knows my votes helped put him there. When I was asked to step down, people were furious and said they’d vote for him, not the endorsed candidate," Wanyonyi said.

The MP also accused the governor of neglecting his Westlands constituency entirely.

"He has ignored Westlands. He doesn’t come here and hasn’t done anything. Everything that’s been done, I’ve done it myself with my team. There are problems everywhere, and our governor has become a man of many travels. My votes are the ones that put him in office."

Poor services

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino echoed Wanyonyi’s frustrations, stating: "If you’re elected as a leader, you must work. The people of Nairobi are suffering."

He accused the county of gross mismanagement, citing the Nairobi County-Kenya Power waste scandal.

"The governor who’s supposed to clean up Nairobi is dumping waste at Stima Plaza. He’s disposing of sewage in the city centre. Is this someone we can even sit down with?"

Owino described county health facilities as "death traps". "There are no medicines—just Piriton and paracetamol because county workers have opened their own pharmacies outside hospitals."

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He called for community-based solutions, including involving youth in waste collection.

"If you want a real solution to Nairobi’s garbage problem, give the job to the estate youth. Green Army workers are supposed to earn Sh30,000 monthly but only get Sh18,000. Where does the rest go?"

Lang’ata MP Phelix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang’o, said Sakaja’s leadership lacks inclusion and transparency. "Leadership is about teamwork. For the governor to work effectively, he must involve MPs."

Jalang’o also criticised Nairobi’s infrastructure, particularly street lighting. "Nairobi shuts down at 8 pm—it’s just darkness everywhere. For every working streetlight before the expressway, I’ll give you Sh1,000."

He opposed increasing county allocations, questioning their use. "We passed laws, allocated funds, and they squandered everything. Now you want us to give them more to steal again?"

He also stressed that water distribution is a devolved function, squarely under the governor’s responsibility.

Embakasi West MP Mark Mwenje demanded a complete overhaul of Nairobi’s planning systems. "Nairobi needs a proper master plan. We must bring in experts to reorganise the city. Right now, waste collection is being handled by the NYS."

Kibra MP Peter Orero argued that MPs, as the most informed about their constituencies, should be involved in service delivery decisions.

"MPs know their areas best. Every constituency should have a fully functional hospital with adequate medicine, proper roads, and drainage."

Starehe MP Amos Mwago said exclusion from county functions had derailed progress.

"We’ve been sidelined. I don’t see how, in the remaining two years, we can work together to achieve anything."

The MPs urged Governor Sakaja to adopt a more inclusive approach, warning that continued disregard for elected leaders would worsen Nairobi’s governance crisis.

With two years left in his term, they said the time for excuses is over—Sakaja must either step up or face political consequences.