Former Principal Secretary Irungu Nyakera has voiced opposition to the ongoing impeachment push against Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, urging respect for democracy and a shift towards service delivery. Nyakera, who also serves as the Nairobi Patron of the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), a political outfit associated with Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, said that while he could benefit politically if Sakaja were ousted, he would not support the motion.
“While I would naturally stand to benefit if Governor Sakaja were impeached, I do not support it. Nairobians freely chose him in 2022, and democracy demands that we respect that choice, even when it proves difficult,” Nyakera said on Monday. He urged the governor to move away from “PR and theatrics” and instead dedicate his remaining two years in office to delivering on his 2022 campaign pledges.
Addressing Nairobi residents, Nyakera urged them to be more discerning in future elections. “To Nairobians: let this be a lesson ahead of 2027 – leadership is about proven ability, integrity, and accountability. Let’s choose better in 2027,” he added.
Nyakera, who recently concluded a short stint as chair of the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), has signaled his intention to contest the Nairobi governorship in the 2027 General Election. His move to join DCP, abandoning his Farmers Party, was described as a strategic decision to consolidate his focus on city politics.
The remarks come at a time when Sakaja is facing mounting political pressure. On Sunday, Nairobi MCAs launched a formal push to impeach the governor, citing failures to fulfill campaign promises, stalled Ward Development Fund projects, and delayed bursary allocations. At least 70 out of 123 MCAs had signed in support of the motion by evening.
In a rare bipartisan alliance, ward representatives from both the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) joined forces to back the ouster, accusing Sakaja of sidelining wards in county decision-making.
With impeachment looming and rivals circling, Governor Sakaja faces an uphill battle to salvage his political standing and restore faith among Nairobi residents.
