Inside the Alleged Nairobi Goons Deal That Sakaja Calls a Lie

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has come out guns blazing to deny claims that he met with controversial political players Gaucho and Swaleh ahead of the violent protests that rocked Nairobi’s Central Business District on Tuesday, June 17. Reports had circulated online and across social media accusing the governor of secretly meeting the duo, along with a city MP and an MCA, and allegedly handing over Ksh2 million to fund goons to disrupt the protests. The same reports alleged that Sakaja instructed the group to arm the goons with machetes and rungus to cause chaos in the name of quelling peaceful demonstrations. Sakaja has now labelled the accusations as “blatant lies” and presented travel receipts to support his alibi. He insists he was not even in the city on the day of the alleged meeting, saying he was in Lugari for a church service and only returned to Nairobi the next day. Sakaja claims he was out of town as reports allege a Ksh2 million payout to sponsor city goons. Whether the governor’s evidence clears his name or not, one thing is certain—Nairobi’s leadership will need to work overtime to regain public trust after the chaos of June 17. [Photo: Courtesy]

Nairobi Goons Allegations Hit Sakaja’s Office Hard

The controversy erupted as images and footage flooded social media showing groups of armed men wreaking havoc in the CBD. Protestors, mostly youth, had taken to the streets to demand justice for Albert Ojwang, a young man who died under suspicious circumstances in police custody. What started as a peaceful demonstration quickly turned into chaos. Shops were looted, properties vandalised, and innocent citizens caught up in the violence. Many Nairobians began questioning who had mobilised these gangs. Fingers were soon pointed at City Hall. According to the allegations, Sakaja’s office convened a secret strategy meeting on Sunday, June 15, attended by activist Gaucho, notorious political mobiliser Swaleh, a sitting MP, and a Nairobi MCA. The reports claimed the governor released Ksh2 million in cash to fund a counter-operation targeting demonstrators, allegedly to “neutralise” the protests. But Sakaja has fired back, stating that he wasn’t even in Nairobi on the said date. “Such blatant lies,” Sakaja posted, along with travel documents. “On Sunday, I was in Lugari for church and came back to Nairobi on Monday afternoon through Kitale. Ticket below. I have not seen Gaucho since the Mukuru Housing launch or Swaleh in many months.” The travel ticket showed that the governor travelled from Kitale to Nairobi on Monday, June 16, at 10 am—one day after the alleged meeting.

Gaucho and Swaleh Also Deny Role in the Chaos

Gaucho, one of the alleged co-conspirators, has also dismissed the claims, stating he was not even in the country at the time. “These are fabricated lies. I wasn’t in Kenya. Anyone pushing this narrative is trying to shift blame and stir confusion,” Gaucho said in a brief statement. Swaleh has not made any public comments so far, but his name has long been linked to political mobilisations in the capital, especially those involving rowdy youth. Despite denials from the governor and Gaucho, public pressure continues to mount, with many residents demanding accountability over who orchestrated the mayhem that paralysed the city for hours.

Sakaja Condemns Violence and Calls for Police Action

As the dust settles from the deadly protests, Sakaja has maintained that the goons were not in any way affiliated with his administration. He condemned the attacks and called on the National Police Service to track down and arrest those responsible. “We strongly condemn the destruction of public and private property witnessed last week, perpetrated by hired goons brought in from outside Nairobi,” Sakaja said. He added that the city government does not support violence of any kind and that political leaders must not be dragged into fabricated plots. Despite the denials and evidence provided, the matter has deepened the rift between City Hall and residents who feel abandoned during the protests. Business owners affected by the looting have begun demanding compensation, while opposition leaders are calling for a deeper probe into the Nairobi goons’ funding and coordination.