By The Weekly Vision Political Desk
A political storm is brewing in Nairobi County, with Governor Johnson Sakaja at the heart of a high-stakes power struggle involving two of Kenya’s most influential figures: President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga.
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Sources close to The Weekly Vision reveal that a faction of Nairobi MCAs has been mobilised to initiate impeachment proceedings against the governor, citing incompetence. It is alleged that both Raila and Ruto are discreetly orchestrating this move to secure greater control over Nairobi’s political direction and undermine a governor whose performance they see as weakening their respective positions ahead of the 2027 elections.
Political analysts argue that County Assembly Speaker Ken Ng’ondi could not have convened last week’s Speaker’s Kamkunji, where MCAs openly vented their frustrations against Sakaja, without the implicit approval of Kenya’s two most powerful political leaders. Insiders claim that both Raila and Ruto view Sakaja’s chances of securing re-election in 2027 as slim, given his lacklustre performance in office. They are reportedly laying the groundwork for a more dependable candidate.
However, even if the MCAs succeed in tabling an impeachment motion, Sakaja’s fate will rest with the Senate. Ironically, Ruto’s earlier accusation that senators engage in “high-level extortion” could backfire. Senators may choose to protect Sakaja as a form of political retribution against the President, potentially derailing the carefully orchestrated impeachment plot.
Whispers in political circles suggest the possible return of former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero. Insiders indicate that both Ruto and Raila may see him as a transitional figure to complete a second term and pave the way for 2027. Kidero is reportedly contemplating a comeback, with speculation that he might pair with media personality Caroline Mutoko as his running mate. Whether Kidero is willing to abandon his Homa Bay base to reclaim Nairobi remains uncertain, but his return would significantly alter the city’s political landscape.
Raila is also said to be exploring alternatives within ODM. Names such as Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna have surfaced, with discussions of a potential Sifuna-led ticket. The Nairobi governorship could also serve as a bargaining chip to appease dissenting ODM legislators by offering them a high-profile contest.
Ultimately, the impeachment and succession manoeuvres in Nairobi are deeply intertwined with Mount Kenya politics. Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his Democratic Congress Party (DCP) are poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the capital’s political future. Any strategy that overlooks this reality risks collapse.
With just over two years until the 2027 general elections, Nairobi is already a cauldron of political tension. For Sakaja, the impeachment threat underscores the fragility of his governorship and the growing perception that he may be dispensable. For Raila and Ruto, it is a delicate balancing act of timing, strategy, and compromise, whether to act now or keep Sakaja in play until 2027.
The stakes could not be higher. Nairobi, Kenya’s economic and political nerve centre, has once again become the battleground where national ambitions collide.
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