Sources within political circles have suggested the possible return of former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero. One insider disclosed that an internal County Assembly survey indicated Governor Sakaja would suffer a humiliating defeat if an election were held today, with Dr Kidero emerging as the strongest challenger
By The Weekly Vision Political Desk
A political storm is gathering over Nairobi County. Governor Johnson Sakaja finds himself at the centre of a high-stakes power struggle between two of Kenya’s most influential figures: President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga. Sources close to The Weekly Vision reveal that a section of Nairobi MCAs has been mobilised to initiate impeachment proceedings against the governor, citing incompetence. It is alleged that both Raila and Ruto are quietly orchestrating this move. Their aim is to tighten their grip on Nairobi’s political direction and weaken a governor whose performance they believe threatens their strategic positioning 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 without the tacit approval of the country’s two most powerful political leaders. At the Kamkunji, MCAs vented their frustrations against Sakaja. Insiders claim both Raila and Ruto consider Sakaja’s chances of re-election in 2027 to be slim, given his underwhelming record in office. They are said to be preparing the ground for a more reliable successor.
Even if the MCAs manage to table an impeachment motion, Sakaja’s fate ultimately lies with the Senate. Ironically, President Ruto’s earlier claim that senators engage in “high-level extortion” may come back to haunt him. Senators could choose to shield Sakaja as an act of political defiance against the President. This could derail the carefully choreographed impeachment plan.
Sources within political circles suggest the possible return of former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero. One insider disclosed that an internal survey within the County Assembly suggested Sakaja would face a humiliating defeat if an election were held today, with Dr Kidero emerging as the strongest challenger. Both Ruto and Raila are believed to view Kidero as a transitional figure who could complete a second term while paving the way for their longer-term strategies in 2027. Speculation is rife that Kidero, should he make a comeback, might pair with media personality Caroline Mutoko as his running mate. Whether he is prepared to abandon his Homa Bay political base to reclaim Nairobi remains uncertain, but his return would undoubtedly reshape the capital’s political landscape.
At the same time, Raila is reportedly weighing options within ODM. Names such as Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna have surfaced, with some insiders suggesting a possible Sifuna-led ticket. The Nairobi governorship could also be deployed as a bargaining chip to pacify restive ODM legislators by offering them a high-profile electoral contest.
Ultimately, the unfolding impeachment manoeuvres in Nairobi are deeply intertwined with Mount Kenya politics. Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his Democratic Congress Party (DCP) are expected to play a decisive role in shaping the city’s political trajectory. Any strategy that underestimates this reality is unlikely to succeed.
With just over two years to the 2027 general elections, Nairobi has already become a cauldron of political intrigue. For Sakaja, the impeachment threat exposes the fragility of his administration and the growing perception of his dispensability. For Raila and Ruto, it is a delicate calculation of timing, strategy, and compromise: whether to strike now or keep Sakaja in play until the next election cycle.
The stakes could hardly be higher. Nairobi, Kenya’s economic and political nerve centre, has once again emerged as the battleground where national ambitions collide.
