Raila meets Nairobi ODM MCAs as Sakaja’s ouster motion gains momentum
The majority Members of the County Assembly of Nairobi (ODM MCAs) have been summoned by the former Prime Minister and their party leader, Raila Odinga, for a consultative meeting as impeachment talks against Governor Sakaja continue to gain momentum.
The Invitation was shared with the ODM legislators via WhatsApp by Majority Whip and Kilimani MCA Moses Ogeto.
“Good Morning, Members, you are hereby invited by Party Leader, Raila Amollo Odinga, for a consultative meeting at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation (JOOF) today, as from 10.00 am. Kind Regards,” the message by Ogeto stated.
The meeting comes even as the ODM Leader had met with the Nairobi County Assembly leadership twice within four days, on Friday and Monday, urging them to discourage colleagues from pursuing the ouster.
Despite these meetings, no agreement was reached, prompting the scheduling of today’s session.
Last Friday’s tense meeting at Raila’s Karen residence, attended by Sakaja, ran from 10 am into the evening but did not resolve the dispute.
Raila reportedly asked the Governor to address MCAs’ grievances, including releasing funds for bursaries and ward development, and assured him of further engagement with both majority and minority leadership.
The push to remove Sakaja has intensified, with 87 MCAs now reported to have signed in support of the impeachment motion, up from 70 last Friday.
Although the county assembly adjourned for a one-month recess on August 7, Standing Orders allow the Majority Leader to petition the Speaker for a special sitting if at least 41 of the 123 members support the request, a path the MCAs appear ready to take.
The City MCAs have outlined more than 20 substantive charges against the governor, with the process described as “a whole House initiative.”
Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai told the media on Monday that the impeachment motion is ready.
“We have the charges ready, more than 20 substantive charges against the governor. We passed the threshold in the fifth minute of collecting signatures. This time it is a whole House initiative,” he said.
Alai emphasized that Sakaja could no longer rely on political protection.
“You know, when there is always a tiff between MCAs and the governor, he runs to Raila and gets saved. This time it will not be easier for him because the issues at hand are between him and the MCAs and not Raila,” Alai said.
