How Raila is Trying to Stop Sakaja’s Impeachment

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja is facing a formal impeachment process after 87 Members of the County Assembly signed in support of a motion to remove him from office, surpassing the required threshold to initiate proceedings.

Efforts by ODM party leader Raila Odinga to mediate and halt the process have so far failed to yield results. Two meetings between Odinga and Nairobi County Assembly leaders, held on Friday and Monday, ended without agreement, with a third round of talks expected amid growing doubts about their effectiveness. Sources familiar with the discussions described a tense atmosphere, pointing to deep divisions within the assembly.

MCAs have listed several grievances against the governor, including failure to release bursary funds, delays in infrastructure projects, and a general lack of responsiveness from his office. Concerns have also been raised over communication barriers, with senior aides accused of limiting access to elected officials.

The impeachment effort, which began with 70 signatures last week, has gained momentum despite the assembly currently being in recess until late September. Under assembly rules, a special sitting can be convened if formally requested by either the Majority or Minority Leader. ODM, which commands a majority in the assembly, is under pressure to respond to growing discontent among its members and constituents.

Governor Sakaja, elected under the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), is reportedly seeking political support behind the scenes to avert the motion. However, the cross-party nature of the campaign, drawing backing from both ODM and UDA-affiliated MCAs, signals weakening support for his leadership.

Deputy Minority Leader Waithera Chege has said the motion cannot wait for the assembly to resume regular sittings, while Mountain View MCA Maurice Ochieng says that the process is being driven by members themselves, not party leadership. Baba Dogo MCA Geoffrey Majiwa warns against efforts to undermine the initiative, saying earlier interventions had failed to address core concerns.

Sakaja’s school feeding initiative, “Dishi na County,” has also come under criticism, with MCAs accusing the programme of mismanagement and poor oversight. While the governor has promoted it as a key achievement, ward representatives argue it has diverted resources from other pressing needs, including road maintenance, waste collection, and healthcare services.