Ruto, Raila intervene to save Sakaja, secure 60-day window for governor to address MCAs' concerns

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has been given a 60-day window to address concerns raised by city MCAs after interventions by President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga.

The two leaders persuaded Nairobi MCAs on Tuesday to temporarily pause impeachment proceedings against Sakaja and his deputy, James Muchiri, allowing time to resolve pressing county issues.

The decision followed days of political tension in the city.

ODM and UDA parties had separately summoned Nairobi MCAs amid growing impeachment calls. ODM MCAs, whose party holds the majority in the county assembly, met at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation (JOOF), while UDA MCAs were at State House to deliberate on the next steps.

Addressing the media at JOOF, Makadara MP and ODM Nairobi Chairman George Aladwa said that the MCAs had raised their concerns, and they all agreed to shelve the impeachment plans.

“MCAs had already appended their signatures and even passed the required threshold. In the meeting, which lasted more than four hours, MCAs were able to raise their issues and they were heard, “ he explained.

“In one understanding, we have agreed that the impeachment be put aside and he should work and deliver. The governor was also told what he needs to do in order to deliver. We have put all issues open,” he added.

Aladwa revealed that the governor was also told to apologise, and he asked for forgiveness as well, and put forward the challenges he has in his office.

However, some ODM MCAs were dissatisfied with how the meeting was handled.

“Raila Odinga, as our party leader, can give us advice because he is like a father politically, and he’s more experienced than I, but I don’t trust that Governor Sakaja will do anything different, because he’s from his character,” Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai said.

On the impeachment bid, Alai said that as ODM MCAs, they had to abide by their party leader’s wishes.

“If the party leaders advise us, we follow what is best for our political formation now. We simply want delivery. We want to see projects being implemented and the governor working. He should also stop disrespecting members and treat us with respect,” he noted

Alai also stated that the governor should see the assembly as a consultative body and seek the MCAs' opinion before getting into deals affecting the capital.

A two-term ODM MCA told The Eastleigh Voice that members were not satisfied with the outcome of the meeting.

Other Topics To Read

• secure 60-day window for governor to address MCAs' concerns
• Headlines
• City Affairs
• Nairobi County Assembly
• Nairobi MCAs
• Sakaja impeachment
• Governor Sakaja impeachment
• Ruto
• Raila intervene to save Sakaja

“Raila, as our party leader, would have let us handle the issue because we know what has been happening on the ground,” the member said.

Another ODM MCA claimed they were threatened that if they don't drop the impeachment bid, they will not receive the party’s ticket come 2027.

On the other hand, South B MCA and Minority Leader Waithera Chege said UDA MCAs met President Ruto at State House to discuss city challenges and request mediation.

“President Ruto told us to give him 60 days to mediate and try to solve the issues we raised that are affecting Nairobi. We had a meeting today at State House where all members of UDA attended, “ she told The Eastleigh Voice.

The UDA MCAs highlighted key issues affecting the city, including stalled development projects, unpaid contractors, delayed salaries, mismanaged public funds, deficient street lighting, a defunct asphalt plant, unimplemented bursaries for vulnerable children, and uncontrolled garbage dumping, nicknamed “Mount Sakaja.”

Waithera clarified that impeachment has not been withdrawn but temporarily paused, with a follow-up meeting on Wednesday to revisit the same issues and agree on implementation.

“In terms of impeachment, it has not been withdrawn. What we have agreed is that it will not be tabled immediately as agreed. We have just put it on hold,” she said.

Embakasi Central MP Benjamin Gathiru, popularly known as Meja Dong, faulted Raila and Ruto for what he called a “rescue operation” for Sakaja.

“It is very shameful when the whole of Nairobi's voters are crying because they are getting poor services, then the handshake brothers can get eight hours to discuss someone incompetent instead of using the eight hours to hear the pleas of Nairobi residents,” he said.

“It is very shameful. It has already been decided that Sakaja will be a one-term governor. Whether he is saved or not within the next 10 months, he will be out. Either way, Nairobi residents have decided that he must go.”

The MCAs had already drafted over 20 charges and were rallying members to sign in support of the ouster.

They said the grounds for removal were overwhelming, and members were united in pushing the process forward.