Sakaja urged to prioritise service delivery as Nairobi ODM MPs rally support

ODM Members of Parliament from Nairobi have urged Governor Johnson Sakaja and county assembly members to focus on service delivery, calling for unity and action following the withdrawal of the impeachment motion against the governor.

The lawmakers emphasized that the pause in political tensions should now translate into concrete results for residents.

Speaking on Wednesday, Makadara MP George Aladwa said the decision by MCAs to drop the motion marks a critical moment for leadership and accountability.

“Now Governor Sakaja, the ball is in your court and it is for you to change and to see the issues raised are implemented and projects delivered,” he said, urging MCAs to return to their wards and prioritise citizens’ needs.

Aladwa was joined by Lang’ata MP Felix Odiwuor and Dagoretti North MP Beatrice Elachi, who reaffirmed their support for Sakaja and called for county-wide unity.

“As leaders here we are fully behind you and we shall support you. The time we have left towards the 2027 elections is little. Our President has given us projects to work with MCAs so that we can provide services to Nairobi residents,” Aladwa said.

Elachi warned that political disruptions in Nairobi could slow both city and national development.

“We cannot let our city be held hostage by politics and self-interest. If Nairobi is destabilised, Kenya is destabilised,” she said, praising MCAs for showing maturity by withdrawing the impeachment motion and putting residents’ interests above political rivalry.

The MPs’ backing comes after a tense period in Nairobi, during which Governor Sakaja was given a 60-day window to address issues raised by county assembly members.

The intervention followed efforts by President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga, who persuaded MCAs to temporarily halt impeachment proceedings against Sakaja and his deputy, James Muchiri, allowing time to resolve pressing county matters.

During the tense period, ODM and UDA parties separately engaged MCAs over calls for impeachment. ODM MCAs met at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation (JOOF), while UDA members gathered at State House to discuss next steps.

Nairobi assembly speaker Ken Ngondi and veteran politician Fred Gumo attended the JOOF meeting.

“They said the governor is not accessible. He has not released bursary funds and funds for development in the wards are also not being released,” Aladwa said on Tuesday after the four-hour meeting. Sources said the session, which Sakaja attended, saw ward representatives express frustration and demand an opportunity to “deal” with the governor.

After discussions, Sakaja apologised to MCAs. Raila directed him to reconcile with ward representatives within a month to restore working relations. “Baba was very categorical that he must resolve his issues with the MCAs within a month,” Aladwa said.

He added that ODM’s decision to spare the governor was driven by the need to deliver development in Nairobi with less than two years to the next general election.

The MPs highlighted key achievements under Sakaja’s leadership, including the Dishi na County school feeding program benefiting over 316,000 learners, expansion of solid waste management through new refuse compactors and the green army, and continued investments in health, water, and infrastructure.

They also cautioned against using impeachment as a political weapon. “Impeachment of elected governors has increasingly become a tool of abuse. We emphasise the importance of stability for service delivery and do not support creating instability where there are no serious grounds,” the statement read.

Concluding, the MPs called on Sakaja and county leaders to move past politics and focus on delivering results for Nairobi residents. “Nairobi must not be held hostage by theatrics. The only way forward is for leaders to unite beyond party lines to deliver for the people of this city,” they said.