Nairobi MCAs moot impeachment motion against Governor Sakaja

The political honeymoon between Nairobi Members of County Assembly (MCAs) and the Executive appears to have come to an end as 96 out of the 123 legislators voiced their frustrations over stalled projects, bursary delays and the collapse of the Ward Development Fund.

In a closed-door Kamukunji meeting led by the Assembly Speaker Kennedy Ngondi on Tuesday evening, the MCAs expressed their growing resentment against Governor Sakaja accusing him of being incompetent and out of touch with both the assembly and the people.

The MCAs agreed to  discuss the governor’s impeachment, a process that will be spearheaded during a retreat in Naivasha next week.

Speaking to the press after the meeting, Deputy Minority Leader and South B MCA Waithera Chege said members had endured unfulfilled promises and endless silence from the county executive while residents continue to question why services had ground to a halt.

“There are so many projects that have stalled within the wards and the residents have been asking why those projects have not been completed,” Waithera said.

The UDA MCA  pointed out that Nairobi remains among the few counties yet to release bursary funds to needy learners, adding that families were being unfairly punished by the delays.

She accused Sakaja of deliberately neglecting the assembly’s resolutions.

“The members are also saying that the governor is not in touch, both with the people and with this assembly. He does not respond to members and there is a clear breakdown in communication between the executive and the assembly,” Waithera said.

According to her, Sakaja had also failed to provide leadership on the Ward Development Fund and implementation of laws already passed by the county assembly.

“So many motions and bills have been passed before this assembly, but the governor has not taken any implementation step,” Waithera  said, warning that members had resolved to act.

Waithera confirmed that the numbers required to remove the governor had already been surpassed.

“Signature collection will start very soon and all members are coordinated. We believe by next week we will be ready to execute,” she said.

The growing rebellion has seen both ODM and UDA MCAs unite against the governor, with party leaders reportedly briefed on the unfolding developments.

Roysambu MCA Sospeter Wamumbi said the members were determined to stand firm regardless of threats.

“Sisi kama waeshimiwa tumesema kama mtu amesimama kwa njia, iwe ni governor, CECM ama iwe nani tuko tiyari,” he declared.

Nairobi CBD MCA Mwaniki Kwenya accused Sakaja of undermining elected leaders by working with their political rivals ahead of the 2027 elections.

“How can the governor work with our opponents when he is supposed to coordinate development with us?” he asked.

This is the third attempt to impeach Sakaja since he assumed office as the third governor of Nairobi two and a half years ago.

The first bid was championed by the late Kariobangi North MCA Joel Munuve, who passed away in April this year.

Separately, this year, former Korogocho MCA Maxwell Ochar filed a public petition to the Assembly seeking the governor’s removal.

He accused Sakaja of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and violation of the Constitution.

Ochar also cited the failure by Sakaja to implement county projects, disregard for assembly laws, and alleged use of hired goons to intimidate peaceful protestors.

Backed by Article 181 of the Constitution and Section 33 of the County Governments Act, the petition also accuses the governor of ignoring a 2019 gazette notice that waived rent arrears on county properties.

However, the assembly speaker never confirmed the receipt of the petition at the chambers raising queries whether the Assembly clerk submitted it to the House.