Former nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba has urged Kenyans to stop blaming President William Ruto or ODM leader Raila Odinga for Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja’s escape from a planned impeachment, placing responsibility squarely on Members of County Assembly (MCAs).
Orwoba argued that the survival of the first-term governor was a result of party loyalty rather than intervention by the two national leaders. “Stop blaming Raila or Ruto for saving Sakaja. Those two didn’t have to vote or sign impeachment motions. Blame party loyalty,” she said, stressing that political allegiance overshadowed accountability.
Highlighting the consequences of such loyalty, Orwoba faulted city leaders for neglecting constitutional values and the welfare of Nairobi residents. She cited ongoing challenges such as water shortages, dysfunctional street lighting, sewer bursts, inflated business levies, excessive parking fees, and mismanaged city council operations, asserting that “party loyalty kept Sakaja in office.” She warned that political allegiance was gradually eroding integrity, morality, and humanity in governance.
Sakaja’s reprieve came after high-stakes meetings orchestrated by Raila Odinga, aimed at persuading agitated MCAs to drop their impeachment motion. According to insiders, over 80 ward representatives had signed the motion, frustrated by what they termed inadequate development and lack of accountability. During tense discussions attended by the governor, MCAs vented their frustrations and demanded autonomy in addressing county issues.
Following hours of deliberation, Sakaja issued an apology to the MCAs, and Raila directed him to reconcile with the ward representatives within a month to restore a functional working relationship. ODM insiders said the decision to spare the governor was driven by the desire to maintain focus on development, with barely two years remaining until the next general election.
This marked the third high-level meeting Raila held in four days to salvage Sakaja’s position. Earlier sessions included top assembly leaders, including Speaker Benson Ng’ondi, Majority Leader Peter Imwatok, and Budget Committee Chair Wilfred Odalo. According to the meetings’ outcomes, Sakaja must resolve internal disputes promptly to prevent future conflicts and ensure Nairobians’ developmental needs are met.
Orwoba’s intervention serves as a reminder that, in her view, political loyalty not the influence of prominent leaders remains the decisive factor in shielding public officials from accountability
