Differences emerge as Nairobi MCAs retreat to Naivasha to determine Sakaja’s fate

The push to impeach Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja gathered momentum on Wednesday as MCAs started compiling charges against him ahead of a retreat in Naivasha next week.

The Star has established that at least 10 charges are being drafted, ranging from alleged misappropriation of funds, revenue diversion, bursary fund irregularities, to questionable payments on legal fees.

“We are going to Naivasha on Tuesday. That is where the decision will be made. But, to me, this is hot air,” Kitisuru MCA Alvin Olando told the Star.

Majority leader Peter Imwatok declined to comment on the issue, saying he would speak on it once the motion is formally filed in the assembly.

Nairobi West MCA Rex Omole and Riruta’s Erick Kiogora confirmed that several charges were being lined up with every member allowed to make contributions.

“What is happening now is the compilation of charges and we are jointly contributing so that we have a serious case,” Omole said.

Some MCAs are accusing the governor of allegedly misappropriating funds, alleged revenue diversion, the mystery of bursary funds and payments related to legal fees.

However, Sakaja did not respond to our inquiries on the allegations and the impeachment plot against him.

The Star understands that the MCAs would firm up the removal plan during Tuesday’s retreat.

The signature collection process is expected to begin and the mover of the motion identified at the retreat.

According to Kiogora, the assembly has no option but to push through the process for it to earn respect.

“This is what has to happen if we have to earn respect from Nairobi residents who may think we are doing it for optics,” he said.

Speaker Ken Ngondi had on Tuesday confirmed that he has no reason standing in the way of the MCA, in case they want to pursue any agenda that is within the confines of the law.

“I cannot gag the members if they have a genuine agenda and if they want an opportunity to air their grievances,” he said.

This came even as it emerged that some Orange Democratic Movement MCAs are cautious about the planned impeachment.

Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai has read malice in the process, which he says has ill motives aimed at serving self-interests.

He has blamed the assembly leadership, which he claims is rotten.

“The assembly leadership is too rotten to hold anyone to account. They don’t care because MCAs don’t get to choose them,”

South C MCA Abbas Khalif is also opposed to the planned impeachment and has declared it a null and void exercise.

“It is going nowhere because Sakaja is here to stay and will be here beyond 2027,” Abbas, who is eyeing the Lang'ata parliamentary seat, said.

Critics of the plan have dismissed it because the assembly is in recess and that execution will be difficult.

The assembly is on a long recess and is scheduled to resume on September 23.

But according to Nairobi South B MCA Chege Waithera, collection of signatures can be done at any time and the proponents of the idea are within law to compile their charges.

The Tuesday special meeting attracted nearly 100 out of the 122 legislators and it will take 44 out of the 85 elected MCAs to append their signatures on the motion for it to be accepted by the speaker.

According to Chege, a special sitting to discuss the motion is enough once all the other processes have been met.

“It’s not the work of the speaker to collect signatures, but members. Even if it means calling for a special meeting to deal with the specific agenda, we are ready,” he said.

INSTANT ANALYSIS

Nairobi MCAs have unanimously agreed to impeach Governor Johnson Sakaja over what they term as sheer incompetence and neglect of development projects at the ward level. The resolution was passed after a speaker kamkunji, convened by Speaker Ken Ngondi to allow the MCAs to ventilate on the persistent grievances they have been complaining about. A special retreat has been scheduled for Tuesday next week in Naivasha, where the assembly leadership will spearhead signature collection. Nairobi South B MCA Chege Waithera confirmed that the final decision was reached with the house leadership across the political divide set to lead the onslaught on the governor.