President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga’s deal, which saved Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja from impeachment, could prove a double-edged sword for the city boss.
While the intervention spared Sakaja’s job and handed him a political lifeline, it has stirred unease in political circles and raised questions that could haunt him in the 2027 elections.
Analysts say the move painted the governor as being at the mercy of the two national leaders rather than standing on his own political footing.
Indications that the governor has lost the trust of most MCAs also depict him as a weak political leader with no foot soldiers.
This perception could dent his re-election prospects.
“Yes, he is safe for now. We hear the President gave him 60 days to put his house in order,” political observer Martin Andati said.
“The swift move to save him has made him lose trust in the people of Nairobi. He has a lot of work to do to convince Nairobians otherwise.”
Kisumu Woman Rep Ruth Odinga said she was dissapointed that Nairobi MCAs did not go on with the impeachment of Sakaja, being responsible of oversighting the governor.
“The fact that MCAs in Nairobi came out to oversee and say they had no confidence in the governor should have been recognised, and nothing should have been done. They should have been allowed to go through with that petition,” Odinga said.
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale also joined in the criticism, accusing Ruto and Raila of undermining constitutional processes and shielding Sakaja from legitimate oversight by MCAs.
"The impunity displayed by the President, H.E. Ruto, and the ODM Party leader, Raila Odinga, in shielding Sakaja Johnson from normal constitutional oversight by Nairobi MCAs is a testament that the so-called broad-based government has nothing to do with good governance & constitutionalism in general. Our capital city must work.," he said.
On social media, many Kenyans expressed disappointment, accusing Ruto and Raila of shielding the governor to conceal alleged corruption and mismanagement at City Hall.
“Raila Odinga has once again stepped in to save the most corrupt governor in Kenya from facing accountability. But 2027 will be different,” digital strategist Peter Kariuki said.
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, a fierce critic of Sakaja, faulted both Ruto and Raila, accusing them of impeding the oversight role of MCAs.
“By blocking the MCAs from proceeding with the motion, the President is undermining accountability and shielding the governor from scrutiny. Why don’t you allow the MCAs to do their work?” Owino asked.
The MP also dismissed calls for Sakaja to be given more time, arguing that his three years in office had already been wasted.
“For those trying to defend the Nairobi governor, if he hasn’t been able to do something in three years, he won’t do it in two,” he added.
A social media user posted, “When saving one man matters more than saving Nairobi, the rot is official and Nairobi is being sold cheaply.”
Kariuki, said Ruto and Raila's invention prevented the MCAs from effectively over-sighting Sakaja’s administration.
“While direction and guidance are welcome, holding our leaders to account should be a household activity,” he said.
However, the President’s adviser and Raila’s ally Makau Mutua said it would have been foolhardy for Ruto and Raila to allow the MCAs to impeach Sakaja with only about two years to go before the next election.
“If you understand politics, you should know it’s a head-scratcher to impeach Governor Johnson Sakaja,” he said.
“Given the matrix, such a gargantuan political blunder can’t happen, even in the citadel of the United States. It would be an own-goal by ODM in the midst of the silly season.”
However, lawyer William Otieno differed with Mutua, saying the accountability tool in the constitution is blind to the political season.
“Institutional checks and balances cannot be suspended to suit political moods. The rule of law is not seasonal, and political convenience is no defence against constitutional duty,” Otieno said.
