Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has come out strongly against Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, accusing him of betraying the trust of Nairobi residents by allegedly hiring goons to disrupt peaceful protests in the city.
In a fiery statement posted on X, Owino criticised the governor’s administration for using intimidation and violence to silence dissent. “Governor Sakaja, Nairobi did not elect you to unleash goons on its people. You promised leadership. You spoke of change. But what we’re seeing is betrayal,” the MP wrote.
Owino condemned what he described as systematic oppression under Sakaja’s leadership, citing reports of vendor harassment and youth intimidation. He questioned the governor’s campaign promises, asking: “Is this the ‘new Nairobi’ you promised?”
The legislator drew a clear line between genuine leadership and fear-based governance. “You were elected to fix broken systems, not to break the people. You were given power to serve, not to suppress,” he stated, accusing the county government of ruling through fear rather than providing solutions.
Babu Owino’s remarks followed online reports alleging that Sakaja met with self-styled Bunge la Mwananchi president Calvin Okoth Otieno alias Gaucho and Swaleh Sonko on Sunday, June 15, to plan the disruption of protests calling for the resignation of Deputy Police Inspector General Eliud Lagat. It is alleged that Sakaja handed them Ksh.2 million to “neutralise” demonstrators.
Videos circulating online showed suspected goons chanting “Sakaja tumelinda jiji” outside City Hall, while a Citizen TV exposé revealed claims by some of the alleged hired men that they had not been paid as promised.
Governor Sakaja has denied the accusations, terming them as “blatant lies.” In a response posted on X, he stated he was away in Lugari for church and only returned to Nairobi via Kitale on Monday. He also denied recent contact with Gaucho or Swaleh, saying he has not seen them in months.
As political temperatures rise in the city, Babu Owino has urged Sakaja to embrace true leadership. “Real leadership is not loud music and PR stunts. It’s service. It’s humility. It’s protecting your people, not attacking them,” he concluded.
