Sakaja Breaks Silence on Nairobi Chaos, Denies Sponsoring Goons in CBD Attacks

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has come out strongly to deny claims that he sponsored the goons who caused chaos in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) during Tuesday’s protests.

His denial follows a wave of backlash and accusations from political rivals and the public after armed men, some seen cooperating with police, attacked protesters and looted businesses.

Sakaja has urged the National Police Service to arrest those responsible and end the cycle of impunity. But questions linger, and public confidence continues to erode.

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) is now under pressure to investigate the role of police in both allowing and cooperating with suspected criminals. [Photo: Courtesy]

Sakaja Sponsoring Goons Allegations Spark Political Storm

Governor Sakaja is in the eye of a political storm after a group of armed individuals terrorised protesters and civilians in the CBD during demonstrations on Tuesday, June 17. The attacks left many injured and several businesses counting losses after looting and vandalism.

The governor has disassociated himself from the violent gangs and condemned the acts as criminal and unacceptable.

“We categorically dissociate ourselves from any gangs, militias, or politically sponsored groups that exploit demonstrations to engage in criminal activity,” Sakaja said in a statement issued Wednesday.

He insisted that the goons were not from Nairobi and that he had no connection to their actions. “We strongly condemn the destruction of public and private property witnessed last week, perpetrated by hired goons brought in from outside Nairobi,” Sakaja added.

However, his statement did little to quell the uproar, as social media exploded with videos showing the alleged goons chanting his name and passing near his office while declaring, “We protected the city, Skaja.”

Babu Owino Accuses Sakaja of Orchestrating Chaos

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino led the charge in directly linking Sakaja to the mayhem. In a fiery response, Owino said the acts of violence in the capital were not random, but instead an organised scheme involving top officials.

“Johnson Sakaja, your actions did not make you strong. Hurting others does not give you power; it only reveals your utter disregard for the rule of law,” Owino remarked in a scathing attack.

He claimed the violence was carried out under the guise of quelling protests, yet the real mission was to instil fear and suppress dissent.

Online platforms quickly picked up on a video of armed men riding motorbikes into town while shouting that protests would not happen. Some of the same individuals were later seen assaulting civilians, stealing handbags, phones, and other valuables.

The timing and coordination of the goons, along with their alleged cooperation with anti-riot police, has raised serious concerns about whether the attacks were sanctioned from within government circles.

Owino’s accusations have intensified calls for an independent probe into the events, with Kenyans demanding answers from both county and national leadership.

Sakaja Calls for Swift Police Action as Public Demands Accountability

In a bid to contain the fallout, Governor Sakaja has turned to the police, urging the National Police Service to act swiftly.

“This is critical, not only to deliver justice to those affected, but also to prevent further escalation, especially by citizens feeling compelled to take the law into their own hands,” Sakaja said.

He called on security agencies to identify, arrest, and prosecute all those responsible for the acts of violence, vandalism, and theft witnessed during the protests.

Despite his efforts to distance himself from the attackers, many are not convinced. The public is demanding transparency and justice, especially after it appeared that some goons were working side-by-side with police officers instead of being stopped.

Civil society groups have also weighed in, saying Kenya is walking a dangerous path if political leaders are allowed to deploy or protect gangs during times of unrest.

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) is now under pressure to investigate the role of police in both allowing and cooperating with suspected criminals.

The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) and other watchdogs have warned that failure to act will further erode public trust in government institutions and law enforcement.