Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja is facing potential impeachment after 84 out of 123 Members of County Assembly (MCAs) collected signatures to initiate his removal from office.
This effort follows a tense Assembly meeting on August 26, where over 90 MCAs expressed frustration regarding stalled Ward Development Funds, delayed bursaries, and unfulfilled campaign promises.
Lawmakers from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) joined this initiative, accusing Sakaja of neglecting county priorities and losing residents’ trust.
To formalize the motion, at least 82 signatures are required. The motion must then be debated and voted on, with a two-thirds majority needed for approval.
If passed, the motion will proceed to the Senate, where the governor can defend himself before a final vote determines whether he remains in office or is removed.
This situation follows closely on the heels of Kericho Governor Eric Mutai narrowly surviving a Senate impeachment vote, underscoring the high-stakes political climate in Kenya’s counties.
The following steps for the Assembly include formally tabling the motion, conducting debates, and undergoing Senate scrutiny, which could significantly reshape Nairobi’s leadership.
Residents and political analysts closely watch these developments, especially given the unprecedented cross-party support for Sakaja’s removal.
If the impeachment process is successful, it will follow constitutional procedures, including Senate validation. If the motion fails, it would prevent another impeachment attempt on the same grounds for three months.
This high-profile case highlights the growing tensions between county executives and legislators, reflecting broader concerns about accountability, service delivery, and governance in Nairobi County.
MCAs have emphasized that their actions are driven by the need to ensure the city’s administration meets residents’ expectations, delivers promised services, and appropriately manages funds allocated for bursaries and development projects.
The coming weeks will be crucial as signatures are verified, the motion is formally filed, and debates unfold, marking a defining moment for Nairobi’s political landscape.
Raila Odinga, together with the Nairobi County Assembly Speaker, Majority Leader, and Chief Whip, have convened a meeting at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation to discuss strategies to shield Governor Johnson Sakaja from impeachment.
Reports indicate that Governor Sakaja himself is also in attendance. So far, more than 84 MCAs have already appended their signatures in support of the impeachment motion.
