Embattled Sakaja Pleads for Support from Political Heavyweights as Impeachment Motion Gains Momentum

The political storm surrounding Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja intensified Monday as Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) pushed forward with impeachment plans, even as political heavyweights convened to strategize on protecting him , according to sources familiar with the discussions. Desperate Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja turns to Raila Odinga and county leaders for support as impeachment motion gains momentum.

Reports suggest that former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, together with the Nairobi County Assembly Speaker Ken Ngondi, the Majority Leader, and the Chief Whip, held a meeting at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation, which is said to have involved deliberations on potential ways to support the governor amid the growing legislative pressure.

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While exact deliberations that took place remain shrouded in secrecy, sources indicate that Governor Sakaja himself was present, signaling the possibility of a coordinated effort among party leaders to respond to the impeachment threat.

Meanwhile, the impeachment motion appears to be gaining traction within the Assembly, having reportedly collected more than 84 signatures from MCAs in support, surpassing the minimum threshold required for the motion to be formally tabled.

The motion is understood to contain over ten charges, with most of them reportedly relating to allegations of financial misappropriation, though other aspects of governance and project execution may also form part of the claims being advanced by the legislators.

In a press conference held on Monday, several Nairobi MCAs reiterated their determination to proceed with the censure motion, asserting that the signatures gathered reflect a level of commitment within the Assembly to advance the process.

According to the legislators, a special sitting has been scheduled for Tuesday next week, during which the MCAs are expected to engage in extended deliberations regarding the possible removal of Governor Sakaja from office.

While the outcome remains uncertain, the procedural steps outlined in law dictate that if the motion is admitted, a subsequent referral to the Senate will follow, providing an additional forum for the governor to respond to the allegations and for senators to reach a final determination.

Observers note that the apparent convergence of political heavyweights at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation, combined with the MCAs’ stated resolve, suggests a complex interplay of legislative initiative and executive interest, though sources caution that it is difficult to gauge the full implications of the meeting or whether any formal strategies emerged from the discussions.

Some analysts have suggested that the unfolding sequence may reveal underlying tensions within Nairobi’s political landscape, particularly as MCAs affiliated with different parties have reportedly united in advancing the impeachment motion, which could indicate shifting alignments and alliances in county politics.

As Nairobi prepares for the special sitting, questions remain about how Governor Sakaja will respond to the formal charges, what arguments may be presented by his defenders, and whether the legislative momentum will maintain its current trajectory.

For now, sources close to the Assembly suggest that the situation remains fluid, with developments likely to continue unfolding rapidly, and with the potential for further interventions by party leaders or other stakeholders who may seek to influence the outcome.

The developments on Monday come in the backdrop of the signature collection process and meetings held on Sunday, where MCAs convened to plan the impeachment motion and rally support.

Ward representatives gathered to discuss grievances against Governor Sakaja and his deputy, Njoroge Muchiri, and to advance the collection of signatures needed to formally table the motion. "We have managed to collect over 60 signatures today, only on short notice. We had a meeting today, which was attended by members. Also, tomorrow we have a meeting," she told reporters, describing the urgency of the signature drive.

"And I think we will even get them tomorrow (Monday), because these are members volunteering to come and sign. On the evidence, everything is set and ready," she said, pointing to the growing momentum within the Assembly.

"There is one thing I want you to note, that this is a member-driven initiative, and Monday’s meeting will not be one that has been called by the leadership. And even for today, anybody who attended today’s meeting attended in their own capacity as a member of the county assembly of Nairobi, and, therefore, it’s based on an individual decision, unlike when parties say, now come as a party. But I can assure you ‘meli imeng’oa nanga’ and we are not turning back," she added firmly, underlining the independence of the impeachment push. Other legislators also spoke on the unity and determination of the MCAs.

Reflecting on the broader assembly dynamics, Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai described the meeting held in Westlands as a show of unity among members.

"Today, we had an all-members meeting in Westlands, which was attended by members, without the Speaker and some of the leadership," he observed, maintaining cohesion among the MCAs.

He also addressed the governor’s usual recourse to party protection and how this situation differs. "You know, when there is always a tiff between MCAs and the governor, the governor is used to running to ODM party leader Raila Odinga, and he gets ‘saved’. This time round, it will not be easy for him because the issues at hand are between him and the MCAs, and not MCAs with Raila or Raila with Sakaja," he explained, noting the changing dynamics in Nairobi politics. On the legislative strategy to prevent the motion from being blocked at the Senate stage, he explained that the MCAs had taken steps to close any loopholes and maintain unity as the impeachment process advances. "I can tell you that as MCAs, we have ensured that we have sealed all loopholes to ensure that when the impeachment sails through and heads to the Senate, there will be no saving (Sakaja). When we started this journey, we said we would walk together as MCAs, with or without the support of the leadership of this House. This is a member-driven initiative and not a leadership or Speaker-driven one," he said, reflecting the commitment of the assembly members.