Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja is staring down the most serious political battle of his career after Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) launched an impeachment drive that has quickly gathered momentum. By Sunday evening, August 31, at least 70 MCAs had signed on in support of the motion, just 12 shy of the required 82 signatures to table it in the 123-member Assembly.
The move follows a heated Kamkunji meeting on August 26, chaired by Speaker Ken Ngondi, where more than 90 legislators, cutting across both UDA and ODM, voiced frustration over Sakaja’s leadership. In a rare show of unity, rivals set aside party loyalties, arguing that City Hall’s failures were no longer a political matter but a governance crisis.
South B MCA Chege Waithera accused the governor of betraying Nairobians by stalling bursaries and withholding the Ward Development Fund. “Sakaja has failed to deliver on the promises he made in 2022. We can no longer wait as residents continue to suffer,” she declared.
Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai also confirmed that signatures were piling up quickly, pointing to growing disillusionment among legislators. According to insiders, many feel Sakaja has become isolated, dismissive of their concerns, and increasingly detached from the needs of residents.
If the impeachment motion garners the required signatures, it will be formally tabled in the Assembly. At least one-third of MCAs must endorse it before the debate begins. For the governor to be removed, two-thirds of the Assembly must vote in favor.
Should that threshold be met, the matter moves to the Senate, where Sakaja will have the chance to defend himself. Senators may handle the case through a special committee or a full House debate. A majority vote in favor would force him out of office, while rejection would save his job for at least three months before a similar motion could be reintroduced.
The process mirrors the recent case of Kericho Governor Eric Mutai, who narrowly survived removal after the Senate cleared him in a 26-16 vote. For Sakaja, the Senate may be his final firewall if the Assembly succeeds in pushing through impeachment.
For residents of Nairobi, the unfolding drama is more than a political duel; it is a test of whether their governor can withstand the growing tide of discontent. As MCAs edge closer to the numbers needed, Sakaja must now fight not only for his office but also for his credibility as the leader of Kenya’s capital.
