Nairobi MCAs Launch Impeachment Push Against Governor Sakaja
Nairobi's political landscape is heating up as 96 out of 122 Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) have united in a bold move to impeach Governor Johnson Sakaja and his deputy, James Muchiri. The decision, made during a charged two-hour meeting at City Hall on August 26, 2025, signals a significant rift between the county's legislative and executive arms. The MCAs, representing both the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), accuse Sakaja of incompetence, neglect of ward-level projects, and a failure to engage with the assembly, leaving Nairobi residents grappling with stalled development and unfulfilled promises.
The impeachment push stems from a "Kamukunji" meeting, an informal gathering convened by Speaker Ken Ngondi, attended by key assembly figures, including Majority Leader Peter Imwatok, Minority Whip Mark Mugambi, and Deputy Minority Leader Waithera Chege. The MCAs voiced deep frustrations over several issues, chief among them the stagnation of critical ward-level development projects. Residents have repeatedly questioned why these projects remain incomplete, with no tangible progress despite Sakaja's three years in office.
Waithera Chege, the Nairobi South MCA and Deputy Minority Leader, emerged as a leading voice in the impeachment effort, asserting that the governor's fate is sealed. "There are so many projects that have stalled within the wards, and the residents have been asking why those projects have not been completed," Chege stated, highlighting the growing disconnect between Sakaja and the electorate. She emphasized that the assembly's leadership, spanning political divides, is united in its resolve to remove the governor, citing his failure to deliver on campaign pledges and his inaccessibility to elected representatives.
The MCAs have outlined a litany of grievances against Sakaja, accusing him of sidelining elected leaders and undermining their authority. Nairobi CBD MCA Mwaniki Kwenya accused the governor of working with political rivals ahead of the 2027 elections, a move seen as a betrayal of the MCAs' mandate to coordinate development. "How can the governor work with our opponents when he is supposed to coordinate development with us?" Kwenya questioned, reflecting the assembly's frustration with Sakaja's leadership style.
Roysambu MCA Sospeter Wamumbi echoed these sentiments, declaring that the MCAs are "tired" of Sakaja's inaccessibility and the county executive's failure to address their concerns. "We are tired of kneeling before the governor, CECs, and chief officers because they have ignored us," Wamumbi said, vowing that the assembly would not sacrifice their political ambitions to appease Sakaja. Baba Dogo MCA Geoffrey Majiwa further accused the governor of disregarding the county's approved budget and development plans, alleging that Sakaja runs Nairobi "like his personal property" by altering projects without consulting the assembly.
The MCAs also pointed to specific administrative failures, including delayed bursary disbursements, unpaid contractors, and the collapse of the Ward Development Fund. Chege noted that Nairobi is among the few counties yet to release bursary funds, leaving needy learners and their families in distress. Additionally, the assembly criticized Sakaja for failing to implement motions and bills passed by the county assembly, further exacerbating tensions between the executive and legislative arms.
The MCAs have moved swiftly to advance their impeachment agenda. Following the August 26 meeting, they began collecting signatures on August 31, 2025, securing 70 signatures, surpassing the required threshold of 40 to table an impeachment motion. To successfully remove Sakaja, the motion requires the support of two-thirds of the assembly, or 82 members, a target the MCAs believe is within reach given the 96 members who attended the initial meeting.
A retreat in Naivasha is planned for the coming week to finalize the impeachment motion and coordinate signature collection. Chege confirmed that the process is well underway, stating, "Signature collection will start very soon, and all members are coordinated. We believe by next week we will be ready to execute." The assembly is prepared to request a special sitting to table the motion, even though it is currently in recess, underscoring the urgency of their push to oust Sakaja.
This is not the first attempt to impeach Sakaja since he took office in August 2022. The late Kariobangi North MCA Joel Munuve spearheaded an earlier effort in 2023, citing mismanagement and poor service delivery, but the motion stalled before his sudden death in April 2025. Munuve's passing sparked speculation, particularly due to his vocal criticism of Sakaja, though the governor dismissed claims of foul play, stating that an autopsy was scheduled to determine the cause of death.
Additionally, two resident petitions seeking Sakaja's removal were dismissed by Speaker Ngondi for failing to meet legal requirements. A recent petition by former Korogocho MCA Maxwell Ochar accused Sakaja of gross misconduct, including sponsoring goons to disrupt Gen Z demonstrations and engaging in unlawful evictions, but it too was thrown out. Despite these setbacks, the current impeachment push marks the first time both ODM and UDA MCAs have united against Sakaja, signaling a significant loss of political support.
Not all MCAs support the impeachment effort. South C MCA Abass Khalif has criticized the move, alleging that Speaker Ngondi is orchestrating the impeachment for personal gain, eyeing the governor's seat himself. Khalif argued that the Kamukunji was intended to discuss MCA welfare and development projects, not to collect signatures for impeachment. "We signed an attendance list for the Kamukunji; no one can claim that those were signatures to impeach the governor," Khalif said, dismissing the motion as lacking solid grounds and accusing its proponents of political malice.
Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai also distanced himself from the impeachment push, denying allegations that he is sponsoring the motion. Alai, a vocal critic of Sakaja since 2022, received threatening messages from the governor's supporters but maintained that he had no role in the current effort. He questioned the motives of the MCAs, suggesting that their accusations against Sakaja mirror their own shortcomings.
Governor Sakaja has yet to publicly address the latest impeachment threat, having previously ignored inquiries from the media regarding the MCAs' claims. However, he recently met with ODM leader Raila Odinga and other key figures, including Deputy Governor Njoroge Muchiri, Speaker Ngondi, and Majority Whip Moses Ogeto, to discuss governance and leadership in Nairobi. The absence of Majority Leader Peter Imwatok at this meeting has fueled speculation about divisions within the county leadership.
The impeachment push comes at a time when Sakaja's political standing appears increasingly precarious. Reports suggest he has lost the support of both Odinga and senior figures within the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition, leaving him politically exposed. The bipartisan support for the impeachment motion, coupled with the assembly's determination to act, suggests that Sakaja faces the most significant challenge of his tenure.
If the impeachment motion succeeds, Speaker Ngondi would assume the role of acting governor for up to 60 days, as stipulated by Article 182(4) of the Constitution. The MCAs' resolve to remove both Sakaja and his deputy underscores their intent to overhaul Nairobi's leadership, citing a "serious disconnect" between the executive and the assembly. With signature collection underway and a retreat planned to finalize the motion, the coming weeks will be critical in determining whether Sakaja can weather this political storm or face an unceremonious exit from City Hall.
As Nairobi residents await the outcome, the impeachment saga highlights deeper issues of governance, accountability, and service delivery in Kenya's capital. The MCAs' actions reflect a broader demand for responsive leadership, with the potential to reshape Nairobi's political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.