Atwoli Urges Leadership That Restores Dignity and Order
COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli has urged Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja to take decisive action in cleaning up the city and accepting guidance from political elders. The call comes days after Nairobi MCAs decided to drop their impeachment motion against the governor.
In a statement posted on his official X account on Wednesday, September 4, Atwoli stressed that Nairobi needs leadership that prioritizes its people, restores dignity to public spaces, and brings stability to the city. “Nairobi is choked by congestion, both in traffic and planning. It’s crying for leadership and stability,” he said.
Praise for Ruto and Odinga’s Intervention
Atwoli lauded President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga for intervening to save Sakaja from impeachment, calling it a critical first step toward restoring standards in the capital. He also highlighted the need for the governor to maintain good relations with Nairobi MCAs to strengthen his political standing.
“Our call for a cleaner, safer capital is not just justified, it’s long overdue. The spat between Sakaja and his MCAs, if left unchecked, could be hijacked by those opposed to stability,” Atwoli said.
MCAs Give Sakaja 60 Days to Address Concerns
The call comes after a closed-door meeting on September 2 at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation (JOOF), where Raila Odinga convinced ODM-allied MCAs to drop the impeachment bid. A similar discussion was reportedly held by UDA leaders with their MCAs.
Following the meeting, Nairobi County ODM Chairperson George Aladwa confirmed that Sakaja acknowledged the concerns raised, apologized to the MCAs, and was given a 60-day ultimatum to address the issues. “We have agreed that the governor should be allowed to serve the people of Nairobi. He must consider all that was contested so we can move forward,” Aladwa said.
The Path Forward
Atwoli, who has often referred to Sakaja as his political son, urged the governor to embrace advice, foster harmony with his team, and focus on making Nairobi a cleaner, safer, and more organized city.
