Nairobi MCAs revive Governor Sakaja’s ouster bid despite Ruto backing
Embattled Nairobi Governor is facing a renewed tumultus stay at the helm of the Nairobi County government after Members of the Nairobi City County Assembly reignited efforts to impeach him, reopening a political battle that has simmered for months within the capital’s leadership.
The fresh impeachment wave also comes barely two weeks after a cooperation agreement between the national government and Nairobi County, signed at State House, outlining collaboration on key functions including infrastructure and service delivery.
The pact sparked speculation about a possible transfer of functions from the county to the national government.
However, President Ruto dismissed those claims, clarifying that there was no takeover in the works.
“There is no transfer of functions happening. I have no interest in running the city of Nairobi. The governor and his team must run the city,” he said.
With political tensions rising once again, the fate of the impeachment motion now hinges on whether it is formally tabled and whether Sakaja can withstand yet another attempt to remove him from office after be was saved from forced exit from office late last year by the late ODM leader Raila Odinga and Presidnet Ruto.
Yesterday, a section of MCAs led by Nairobi South MCA and Deputy Minority Leader Waithera Chege accused the Assembly Clerk of frustrating their attempt to formally table an impeachment motion after he allegedly went missing when they were ready to submit the required documents.
“We were ready to present both the signatures and notice of impeachment. The only problem we’ve had today is that after the House Business Committee sitting, the clerk was nowhere to be seen,” Waithera said.
According to her, the legislators later raised the matter with the Speaker, who assured them that by 11am on Wednesday the clerk would be available to receive the motion and accompanying documents. Waithera disclosed that the proposed impeachment motion contains 22 counts against the governor, though she declined to reveal the details before the signatures are verified.
“We cannot mention the figures now until the clerk receives and counterchecks the signatures,” she said, adding that procedure requires the clerk to forward the documents to the Speaker’s office for formal processing before the motion can be admitted.
The renewed push comes five months after MCAs shelved an earlier impeachment attempt targeting Sakaja.
That bid collapsed following high-level political interventions led by President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga.
In September last year, the two leaders separately met allied MPs and MCAs, urging them to prioritise service delivery over political confrontation.
At State House, President Ruto warned UDA-aligned ward representatives against pursuing the ouster motion, reminding them that leadership demands resilience rather than retaliation.
Meanwhile, then, Raila convened ODM legislators at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation, where a consensus was reached to drop the impeachment plan amid fears it would destabilize the capital.
