A section of ODM Members of Parliament from Nairobi welcomed the move by Nairobi Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) to drop the intended plan to impeach Governor Johnson Sakaja, saying the decision will safeguard the stability of the capital city.
Led by their Nairobi County Chairman George Aladwa, MPs Beatrice Elachi (Dagoretti North), Felix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalas (Lang’ata), Peter Orero (Kibra) and Woman Rep Esther Passaris, the legislators said the decision by MCAs to abandon the ouster motion was a bold step that put the interests of Nairobi residents ahead of politics.
Elachi who read the statement stressed that destabilising the capital would paralyse national development and frustrate ongoing service delivery programs.
“We cannot let our city be held ransom by politics and self-interests. If Nairobi is destabilised, Kenya is destabilised,” Elachi said.
In their statement, the MPs acknowledge the efforts that have been made in this city to restore order and dignity by the Sakaja-led administration.
They cited initiatives such as the Dishi na County school feeding program that provides hot meals to over 300,000 learners daily, the expansion of solid waste management capacity through new refuse compactors and the green army, and ongoing investments in health, water, and infrastructure.
“Despite the challenges faced due to decades of neglect and lack of long-term planning and initiatives, we are seeing major efforts that go beyond short-term, superficial quick-fixes,” said the MPs.
The lawmakers also criticised the growing trend of using impeachment as a political weapon, warning that such actions undermine governance instead of enforcing accountability.
“Attempts for removal of elected Governors from office by impeachment have become a subject of abuse. We stress on the importance of stability for service delivery and do not support the creation of instability where there are no serious grounds,” the MPs said.
They urged leaders across the political divide to embrace dialogue and prioritise the welfare of city residents over brinkmanship.
“Nairobi must not be held hostage by political theatrics. The only way forward is for leaders to unite beyond political differences to deliver for the people of this city,” the MPs concluded.
President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga on Tuesday held separate meetings to save Governor Sakaja from a looming impeachment push by ward representatives.
ODM ward representatives put the plan to impeach Governor.
At State House, Nairobi, President Ruto secured more wiggle room for the beleaguered governor by persuading UDA MCAs to work with him. The MCAs had expressed dissatisfaction with the handling of key issues in the capital.
The ward representatives, who had already secured enough signatures, accused the governor of sidelining them and implementing development projects without consultation.
They however dropped the bid after the intervention of leading party officials including Raila Odinga and president William Ruto.
The MCAs questioned how the Ward Development Fund had been utilised, as well as the criteria used to select projects and award bursaries in the county.
The Nairobi governor, who was present at both meetings, pledged to involve the county assembly through consultations in running county affairs.
After day-long consultations chaired separately by President Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga, the Nairobi MCAs dropped the impeachment motion against Governor Sakaja.
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