An impeachment process against Nairobi Governor Arthur Johnson Sakaja was initiated by Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai, supported by a group of Nairobi MCAs. Alai launched a scathing attack on Governor Sakaja, accusing him of presiding over a failing capital city government and declaring that the county's problems stemmed from leadership failures. He stated, “What has been happening in Nairobi is that we have ignored the problem, and we have found that the fish has rotted from the head.” Alai criticized the governor for offering excuses and being unwilling to address issues.

The accusations against Governor Sakaja focused on several key areas of alleged mismanagement and neglect. Alai highlighted the county's failure in basic service delivery, pointing specifically to uncollected garbage and deteriorating infrastructure. He directly blamed the governor, asserting that Nairobi residents were not receiving value for their paid taxes and rates. Furthermore, Alai accused Sakaja of undermining public health by allegedly privatizing essential county government functions, such as vaccinations and food safety certificates, which were reportedly being handled by private health providers. The poor state of public hospitals was also cited as evidence of systemic neglect. Businesses in the city were reported to be suffering under Sakaja’s administration, and Alai emphasized the need for efficient service delivery for landlords to pass value to their tenants.

Alai announced that the Nairobi County Assembly had drafted more than 20 charges against Sakaja, encompassing failures in service delivery and questionable management practices. The impeachment motion quickly garnered significant support, surpassing the minimum threshold of 42 signatures required within minutes of collection, with a goal of achieving 100 signatures for overwhelming support. Alai stressed that this initiative was strictly member-driven, free from influence by contractors, private individuals, or external political forces. He stated, “It is a whole-house initiative. For the first time, it is rare to find any MCA supporting Sakaja in the midst of this crisis. Nairobi’s leadership is united in demanding accountability.” The MCAs vowed to table the motion once the 100-signature mark was reached, framing the impeachment as a collective effort to restore order and governance in Nairobi. Alai concluded his statement with a direct message: “This Nairobi must go back to order. This garbage must be removed in Nairobi. Sakaja must go.”

However, the impeachment motion was temporarily halted following interventions from President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga. MCAs from both the ruling UDA party and the opposition ODM party had united in their bid to oust the governor due to dissatisfaction with his leadership. Their grievances extended beyond Alai’s initial accusations, including claims that Governor Sakaja sidelined them in key decisions, failed to consult them on development projects, and raised concerns regarding the allocation and use of the ward development fund, as well as the criteria for awarding student bursaries.

To de-escalate political tensions, President Ruto met with UDA MCAs, urging them to collaborate with Governor Sakaja, arguing that an impeachment process would disrupt vital service delivery in the city. Similarly, ODM leader Raila Odinga intervened, leading his party's ward representatives to agree to a 30-day hold on their impeachment plans. In response to these grievances, Governor Sakaja pledged to foster a more collaborative relationship with the county assembly. He committed to involving MCAs in consultations regarding the running of the county and provided details on fund allocations, stating that Sh1 billion had been allocated for bursaries, benefiting over 119,000 students in the 2022-2023 financial year.

The intervention was also driven by several high-stakes political considerations. A primary concern was the risk of triggering disruptive by-election campaigns in the capital if both the governor and his deputy were forced out, which analysts warned would destabilize Nairobi politics and create national ripple effects. There was also apprehension that such an ouster could spark a political showdown with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who might exploit the by-election to reassert influence and set the stage for the 2027 succession battles. Additionally, leaders within the Kenya Kwanza–Azimio unity framework expressed unease that government critics could use the crisis to undermine the broad-based unity pact, portraying it as fractured and ineffective. The joint decision by Ruto and Raila to protect Sakaja underscores the delicate balancing act both leaders are navigating to maintain Nairobi's political stability while managing national alliances and the evolving 2027 political landscape. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the political truce holds and if the governor's promises of a more inclusive approach will be sufficient to quell the dissent within the county assembly.