The political drama surrounding Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has taken a surprising turn, with Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) deciding to suspend their planned impeachment motion. This came just days after high-level talks between President William Ruto and Azimio leader Raila Odinga, signaling a fresh wave of political realignments in the capital. Governor Sakaja has recently been under pressure from sections of Nairobi MCAs who accused his administration of mismanagement, corruption, and failing to deliver on key services such as garbage collection, healthcare, and water supply. The impeachment motion, which was already gathering signatures, threatened to plunge City Hall into a leadership crisis.
The Ruto–Raila Factor
According to political insiders, the talks between President Ruto and Raila Odinga were a key turning point. Both leaders reportedly agreed that Nairobi, being the country’s capital and economic hub, cannot afford political instability. Their intervention appears to have cooled down tempers at City Hall, at least for now. For Sakaja, this comes as a relief as he has often faced turbulence from both Kenya Kwanza and Azimio MCAs, but the rare bipartisan agreement from Ruto and Raila seems to have given him breathing space.
MCAs Hit Pause, But Not Stop
During a session at the Nairobi County Assembly, ward representatives announced they would suspend but not entirely abandon the impeachment plans. They insisted that while they respect the spirit of dialogue initiated by national leaders, their grievances with Sakaja’s leadership remain unresolved. One MCA noted thatthey have heeded to the call for calm, but the governor Sakaja must know that the pause is not a clean bill of health and Service delivery must improve.
What This Means for Nairobi Politics
The suspension reflects the fragile balance of power in Nairobi. It also highlights how national politics particularly the Ruto–Raila talks directly shapes local governance. For Nairobians, the big question remains whether this pause will translate into better service delivery or if it’s simply a political ceasefire before the next storm.
Conclusion
For now, Governor Sakaja has escaped the impeachment axe, but his political future hangs in the balance. If he fails to address the issues raised by MCAs and residents, the impeachment motion could easily resurface. On the other hand, if he leverages the goodwill from the Ruto–Raila pact, he might consolidate his grip on City Hall. But one thing is certain, Nairobi’s political drama is far from over.
