The gambler: Running from his shadow? Sakaja seeks ODM shelter as critics close in

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has opened a new chapter of his political career, as he seeks to defend his seat in the 2027 General Election, with questions emerging on whether he is running from his own shadow.

Coming against accusations of failing to effectively deliver on his mandate as the Chief Executive of Kenya’s Capital, Nairobi, Sakaja has often found himself in the eye of a storm over what has been termed as lacking a grip on his role.

And now, he has ended months of speculation as he announced his shift from President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA), which he used as his vehicle in the 2022 elections.

Amid Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) members insisting that it is still the popular party in Nairobi, Sakaja seemingly did not take that lightly and, just like that, he found a new home there.

Sakaja officially joined ODM on Monday, even as he insisted that his move is neither seeking to displace members who were ahead of him nor taking over anyone’s political position.

The Governor was at the headquarters yesterday to formalise his move, even as he made reference to his close relationship with party founder, the late Raila Odinga and how he subscribes to his leadership policies.

"I bring with me the commitment I had to service, experience, energy and conviction that the next phase of politics, the next chapter of our politics must be measured not simply by elections we win but the lives we transform," he affirmed.

"If Raila was here today – and he is the one who told me to join ODM – he said that Nairobi should remain bold and we will do everything to ensure that it is present in ODM," Sakaja added.

But Sakaja’s move has seemingly been long-coming, and throughout his tenure at City Hall he has faced major leadership challenges, including attempts by a section of Members of the County Assembly (MCA) to impeach him.

His problem was, however, resolved as reports indicated that both Ruto and Raila rescued him from impeachment, amid arguments ranging from posing a threat to the broad-based Government that had been formed to a show of might in the city politics.

The plan to impeach Sakaja was put on hold on intervention of Raila, while reports indicated that Ruto persuaded UDA MCAs to work with the Governor.

The MCA’s who had secured enough signatures to impeach him raised concerns like sidelining them and implementing development projects without consultations, incompetence and neglect of service delivery, financial mismanagement, issues around delayed bursaries and allowances, stalled development, as well as poor communication and ignoring assembly decisions, among others.

And just like that, he was ‘saved by the bell’, but it has been a bumpy ride for Sakaja, who continually has found himself being questioned over some of the decisions he has been making.

Just about two weeks ago, he had to explain the collapse of a building in Eastleigh, which saw loss of life and scores injured, with questions being raised over what his administration did to avoid a calamity of such magnitude.

But in absolving himself of blame, he stated that it was an illegal development and insisted that the law prescribes whose job it is to make such approvals.

“I have seen some people peddling a fake approval document alleging that the Eastleigh development was approved. It is telling that this is the same document that the Eastleigh developer used to get National Construction Authority approval. They allege that the development was approved in January of 2024. This is not true,” he explained.

He said the application for development was made in November 2024, with the developer applying for change of use from residential to residential and commercial in August the same year.

“Development approval has never been granted. The developer went on to build with impunity and without building approvals despite enforcement action by the county and arrests,” he explained.

He also faced intense criticism over a building that collapsed in South B and several other incidents, including sanitation, garbage and backing down on his campaign promises.

The county leadership has also been put on the spot over recurring crises of illegal construction, debts as raised in various reports, weak regulatory enforcement and failure to audit unsafe structures.

The August 2026 report by the Controller of Budget showed that as of June 30 this year, counties reported Sh100.24 billion in salary arrears and statutory deductions, where Sh52.45 billion of the County Executives' share is over three years old, and Nairobi City accounts for Sh44.92 billion.

But leaders who are seeking to replace Sakaja have not spared him, with Embakasi East MP Babu Owino constantly rebuking the status of Nairobi in addition to questioning the governor’s control of the city.

“Nairobi haiwork (is not working). It has turned into a ‘City of Garbage.  There is garbage in every part of the city, yet Nairobians were promised the cleanest city in Africa but now it is excuse after excuse. People in charge are not able to do the job; it is time to refresh Nairobi,” Babu has constantly insisted.

But Sakaja seemed on ‘borrowed time’ when he signed a Sh80 billion cooperation agreement in February this year, at State House.

The agreement was signed by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi on behalf of the National Government and Governor Sakaja on behalf of the County Government, marking what leaders described as a long-overdue institutional milestone in the governance of Nairobi.

But President Ruto, who witnessed the signing, dispelled claims that the deal pointed to a takeover of county functions, saying the arrangement was purely cooperative and financial in nature.

“What we are formalising today is not a transfer of functions. Let me repeat, there is no transfer of functions taking place. For the avoidance of doubt, I have no interest in running the city; my hands are already full,” he said.

The Governor and his team must continue to run the city but as President, I have an obligation to support and assist the capital city,” Ruto said.

Sakaja affirmed that the agreement is designed to strengthen Nairobi’s fiscal capacity rather than dilute devolution.

The governor’s woes seemingly escalated when Kasarani Mp, Ronald Karauri declared his intention to vie for the gubernatorial seat, with reports that he was building a working relationship with MCAs.

Karauri is expected to run on a UDA ticket, with observers saying that Sakaja has been edged out, which informed his need to find a new home to defend his seat next year.

“Sakaja won Nairobi on a UDA ticket. He’s not leaving UDA because of any problem with the party — he’s running to ODM because he thinks a new colour will make people forget his record. Collapsed buildings, flooding, garbage, unpaid bursaries, and four years of City Hall mess. He will be shocked. Changing parties will not erase the monumental failure,” Karauri posted yesterday upon Sakaja moving to ODM.

This is not the first time that Karauri has condemned Sakaja’s style of leadership.

Several weeks ago, he described Sakaja as the worst-performing governor this country has ever seen.

“We have been on autopilot heading nowhere under Sakaja. Time for a real captain to take the controls... I’m ready,” he said recently.

But ODM, led by National Chairperson Gladys Wanga, welcomed Sakaja to the party, saying that they will build a stronger movement together.

“Welcome to the big party, Sakaja! ODM family is proud to welcome you, partner with you, and journey with you toward victory for the party in all electoral seats in the city,” Wanga said.

“Sakaja was on his way to Damascus but on Saturday he decided to join ODM. We will all sit down to deliberate on the way forward about Nairobi but most importantly, there must be discipline,” ODM Deputy party leader, Simba Arati, added.

Arati termed Sakaja a valuable addition to the party, adding that party leader Oburu Oginga had instructed him to receive the governor, whom he described as a “big fish”.

“Karibu ODM, Sakaja. Our party leader, Oburu Oginga, instructed me to receive you into the party. Sakaja is a big fish, and we warmly welcome him. We will give everyone an opportunity, and our nominations will be free and fair,” Arati said.

Sakaja pledged to engage ODM leaders and other aspirants to address the question of the party’s Nairobi gubernatorial ticket.

“I will also meet Aladwa, who has expressed interest in vying for governor on the ODM ticket, and we will engage, agree and reach a conclusion,” he said.

The journey to becoming the Nairobi Governor under UDA began with a storm when his academic credentials were seriously under the lens ahead of the 2022 General Election.

Sakaja faced intense scrutiny and legal battles during the 2022 election over claims that his university degree certificate was fake, with the Commission for University Education (CUE) revoking recognition of his Team University degree.

But the High Court later dismissed a case challenging Sakaja’s governorship candidature over his academic qualification.

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