The political debate over leadership in Nairobi has intensified after Embakasi North Member of Parliament James Gakuya openly called for the impeachment of Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja. Gakuya argued that the governor has failed to deliver meaningful progress for the capital and said the latest cooperation arrangement with the national government reflects deeper leadership problems at City Hall.
His remarks have reignited discussions around devolution, accountability, and the balance of power between county governments and the national administration. The comments also come amid ongoing public debate over a cooperation pact between Nairobi County and the national government, which has drawn both support and criticism from political leaders.
Gakuya Renews Calls for Sakaja’s Impeachment
Gakuya made his remarks during a media interview on Friday, February 20, 2026. He said calls to remove Governor Sakaja from office are not new and claimed that even Nairobi MCAs had previously reached a similar conclusion.
According to Gakuya, members of the County Assembly had assessed Sakaja’s performance and found it lacking. He said the governor has stalled development and failed to push Nairobi toward meaningful growth. In his view, impeachment should have happened much earlier.
“The impeachment of Governor Johnson Sakaja is long overdue,” Gakuya said. He argued that county leaders had already done their evaluation and concluded that the governor was not delivering results for residents.
Reference to Past Impeachment Attempts
The Embakasi North MP revisited earlier efforts by Nairobi MCAs to impeach Sakaja. He claimed that political agreements at the national level stopped those attempts before they could succeed.
Gakuya alleged that the process stalled after consultations involving President William Ruto and the late Raila Odinga. He suggested that the decision to halt impeachment did not reflect the will of county leaders.
“At that time, they decided to send him home,” Gakuya said, referring to the MCAs’ position. He argued that political compromises shielded the governor from accountability.
Criticism Over Alleged Transfer of Functions
Gakuya also criticised Sakaja over what he described as the transfer of some county functions to the national government. He said the move showed a lack of capacity to manage Nairobi effectively.
According to the MP, the cooperation arrangement signals that the county leadership cannot handle the scale and complexity of running the capital. He argued that seeking national government intervention exposes governance weaknesses.
“The transfer of functions shows that the national government has acknowledged that Sakaja is a failure,” Gakuya claimed. He said strong leadership would have addressed Nairobi’s challenges without external intervention.
The Transfer of Functions Debate Explained
The claims by Gakuya come amid confusion and political tension surrounding the Nairobi–national government cooperation pact. Some leaders have described the agreement as a transfer of functions, while others insist it is only a framework for collaboration.
The pact aims to support Nairobi through national government involvement in key development areas. Supporters argue that the city’s importance to the country justifies structured cooperation to improve service delivery.
Critics, however, fear the arrangement could weaken devolution. They argue that counties should manage their affairs independently and that national intervention sets a dangerous precedent.
President Ruto Responds to Transfer Claims
President William Ruto has firmly rejected claims that the agreement involves any transfer of county functions. Speaking during the signing of the pact at State House, Nairobi, on February 17, 2026, he said he has no interest in running the city.
Ruto said Nairobi County will continue to operate under the leadership of Governor Sakaja and his team. He stressed that the Constitution protects the county’s mandate and authority.
“Let me repeat, there is no transfer of functions happening,” Ruto said. He added that his responsibilities as president already demand his full attention.
National Government’s Role Clarified
The president explained that the national government’s role is to support Nairobi, not to take over its operations. He said the performance of the capital affects the entire country, making cooperation necessary.
Ruto noted that Nairobi hosts major institutions, businesses, and diplomatic missions. Any failure in service delivery impacts Kenya’s image and economy at large.
He said the cooperation agreement focuses on structured support rather than control. According to Ruto, the county government will retain its legal mandate and decision-making authority.
Why Nairobi’s Governance Matters Nationally
Nairobi holds a unique position as Kenya’s capital and economic hub. Its performance influences national revenue, investor confidence, and international perception.
Supporters of the cooperation pact argue that the city’s challenges require joint solutions. Issues such as traffic congestion, waste management, housing shortages, and health services have national implications.
From this perspective, collaboration between county and national governments becomes a practical response rather than a political concession.
Political Divisions Over Sakaja’s Leadership
Despite assurances from the president, political divisions persist. Leaders like Gakuya continue to frame the cooperation pact as evidence of leadership failure at the county level.
Others argue that the criticism reflects broader political rivalry rather than objective assessment. They say Sakaja inherited deep-rooted problems that cannot be solved quickly.
The disagreement highlights wider tensions within Kenyan politics, where development debates often intersect with power struggles and party interests.
Accountability, Devolution, and the Road Ahead
The renewed impeachment calls raise important questions about accountability under devolution. County governments operate with autonomy, but leaders remain subject to oversight by MCAs and the public.
For Nairobi residents, the priority remains service delivery rather than political disputes. Issues such as healthcare, infrastructure, housing, and sanitation continue to affect daily life.
As the debate continues, the focus will likely shift to whether cooperation delivers visible improvements. Performance outcomes may ultimately shape public opinion more than political rhetoric.
A City at the Centre of National Politics
Nairobi’s governance debate reflects the city’s central role in Kenya’s political landscape. Decisions made at City Hall often resonate far beyond county borders.
Gakuya’s remarks have added pressure on Governor Sakaja at a sensitive moment. At the same time, President Ruto’s defence of the cooperation framework signals strong national backing.
Whether calls for impeachment gain traction or fade will depend on political dynamics within the County Assembly and the tangible results of the cooperation agreement.
Conclusion: Performance Will Define the Narrative
The clash between criticism and defence underscores a broader reality. Nairobi’s future will depend less on political statements and more on outcomes that residents can see and feel.
For now, impeachment remains a political demand rather than a formal process. As legal and administrative processes unfold, performance, transparency, and service delivery will likely determine how the story evolves.
The coming months will test whether cooperation strengthens governance or deepens political divisions in Kenya’s capital.