Nairobi Residents Sign Petition to Impeach Governor Sakaja, Here’s The Details

A group of Nairobi residents has filed a formal petition with the county assembly seeking to initiate impeachment proceedings against Governor Johnson Sakaja, accusing him of gross misconduct and violation of constitutional provisions.

The Petition Details

The petition, led by Bonface Sila Munyao, accuses Governor Sakaja of gross misconduct, violation of the Constitution and national laws, abuse of office, and systematic infringement of Nairobians’ rights.

The move represents the most serious challenge to Sakaja’s leadership since he took office as Nairobi’s fourth governor in August 2022.

According to the petition filed with the Nairobi County Assembly, “Governor Sakaja’s actions constitute gross misconduct, abuse of office, and wilful violation of the Constitution. He has betrayed the trust of Nairobians and must be held accountable”.

Key Allegations

The petitioners have raised several serious allegations against the governor, including:

Harassment and Intimidation: Munyao accused Sakaja of using goons to harass residents and suppress dissent, especially in areas affected by various county policies. This allegation suggests a pattern of intimidation tactics against critics of the governor’s administration.

Constitutional Violations: The petition alleges systematic violations of the Constitution and national laws, pointing to decisions and policies that the petitioners claim exceed the governor’s mandate or contravene established legal frameworks.

Abuse of Office: The residents claim the governor has misused his position for personal or political gain, though specific details of these allegations are yet to be fully disclosed in public documents.

Infringement of Citizens’ Rights: The petition suggests that various actions by the governor’s administration have systematically violated the rights of Nairobi residents, potentially affecting their quality of life and access to basic services.

Governor Sakaja has been facing mounting pressure from various quarters. At least 10 officials from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party – led by lawmaker John Kiarie – have joined forces against Nairobi governor Johnson Sakaja. They accuse him of failing to fix Nairobi’s long list of problems, including widespread sewerage issues, clearing garbage.

The governor has also faced criticism over urban planning decisions, with residents rejecting “the position taken by Governor Sakaja concerning the rezoning of some areas and elimination of height restriction on buildings within Nairobi county”.

The Impeachment Process

Under Kenya’s constitutional framework, the impeachment of a county governor requires a two-thirds majority vote in the county assembly. If the assembly votes to impeach, the matter would then proceed to the Senate for trial. The petitioners urge “all Honourable MCAs to uphold their oath under Article 74(2) and act in defence of our Constitution”.

As of the time of filing this report, Governor Sakaja has not issued an official response to the impeachment petition. His administration has been focusing on what he describes as service delivery improvements, with recent meetings aimed at enhancing county operations.

Johnson Sakaja was sworn in as the 4th Governor of Nairobi City County on August 25, 2022, alongside his deputy Dr. James Njoroge Muchiri. His tenure has been marked by various initiatives aimed at transforming Nairobi, though critics argue that progress has been insufficient.

What’s Next

The petition now awaits consideration by the Nairobi County Assembly.

The assembly members will need to review the allegations and determine whether there are sufficient grounds to proceed with impeachment proceedings.

The process could take several weeks or months, depending on the assembly’s schedule and the complexity of the case presented.

The move represents a significant political development in Nairobi’s governance, with potential implications for service delivery and political stability in Kenya’s capital city.

Residents and political observers will be watching closely as the impeachment process unfolds.

Read the petition below.

This is a developing story. More details will be provided as they become available.