Nairobi Governor Arthur Johnson Sakaja faced a severe crisis in his administration as Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai,backed by a coalition of Nairobi MCAs, launched a scathing attack and initiated an impeachment process. Alai publicly accused Governor Sakaja of presiding over a capital city government in collapse, citing a multitude of failures rooted in what he described as a leadership vacuum at the top.

During a press conference inNairobi, Alai asserted that the county's problems, from uncollected garbage to deteriorating infrastructure, stemmed directly from the governor's alleged inability or unwillingness to address critical issues, often responding with excuses or unavailability.

The accusations extended beyond basic service delivery. Alai claimed that Nairobi residents were not receiving value for their taxes and rates. He further alleged that Governor Sakaja was undermining public health by privatizing essential county government functions, such as vaccinations and food safety certificates, which were reportedly being handled by private health providers instead of the county. The dire state of public hospitals was also highlighted as evidence of systemic neglect. Businesses in the city were reportedly suffering under Sakaja's leadership, with calls for efficient service delivery for landlords and tenants alike.

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The impeachment initiative gained rapid momentum, with Alai announcing that theNairobi County Assemblyhad already drafted more than 20 charges against Sakaja. These charges ranged from failures in service delivery to questionable management practices. Significantly, the impeachment motion quickly surpassed the minimum threshold of 42 signatures required, achieving it within minutes of collection.

Alai stated the aim was to secure 100 signatures to ensure overwhelming support for the process, emphasizing its nature as a strictly member-driven, whole-house initiative, free from external political or private influence. He declared a united front among Nairobi's leadership, asserting that it was rare to find any MCA supporting Sakaja amidst the growing crisis.

However, the impeachment motion was temporarily halted following high-level interventions from President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga. This intervention came as MCAs from both the ruling UDA party and the opposition ODM party had united in their bid to oust the governor. Their grievances included being sidelined in key decisions, a lack of consultation on development projects within the capital, and concerns regarding the allocation and use of the ward development fund, as well as the criteria for awarding student bursaries.

In an effort to de-escalate political tensions, President Ruto met with UDA MCAs, urging them to collaborate with Governor Sakaja and emphasizing that an impeachment would disrupt critical service delivery. Similarly, ODM leader Raila Odinga intervened, leading to ODM ward representatives agreeing to suspend their impeachment plans for a period of 30 days.

In response to these grievances, Governor Sakaja pledged to cultivate a more collaborative relationship with the county assembly, committing to involve MCAs in county consultations. He also 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.

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Beyond the immediate grievances, the intervention was also driven by significant political considerations. Reports indicated a concern about triggering disruptive by-election campaigns in the capital should both the governor and his deputy be removed, which would destabilize Nairobi politics and create national ripple effects. There was also apprehension about a potential political showdown with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who might exploit a by-election to reassert influence ahead of the 2027 succession battles.

Furthermore, leaders within the Kenya Kwanza–Azimiounity framework were concerned that government critics could use the crisis to undermine the broad-based unity pact. The joint decision by Ruto and Raila to save Sakaja underscored the delicate political balancing act required to maintain Nairobi's stability while managing national alliances and the evolving 2027 political landscape.