Sakaja Bows to Pressure From Azimio Over Speaker Election

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja during a meeting with the Nairobi chapter of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Thursday, September 22, 2022
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja during a meeting with the Nairobi chapter of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Thursday, September 22, 2022
Governor Johnson Sakaja

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja on Wednesday, September 21, bowed to pressure from Azimio over the election of the county assembly speaker.

Kilimani Member of the County Assembly (MCA)  Moses Ogeto confirmed that Sakaja agree to gazette the maiden county assembly sitting on or before Thursday, September 29.

Ogeto revealed that Kenya Kwanza-allied county boss caved in after (MCAs) elected under Azimio stated that their swearing in was irreducible minimum if he wanted to work with them.

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja during a meeting with ODM, Wiper and Jubilee MCAs on Wednesday, September 21, 2022. (1).jpg
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja during a meeting with ODM, Wiper, and Jubilee MCAs on Wednesday, September 21, 2022.
Governor Johnson Sakaja

"During the meeting, we pushed him to agree to gazette the first sitting. He asked what the problem was and we made it clear that we had only one agenda and that was to be sworn in as fast as possible,” the MCA disclosed.

Sakaja confirmed that he had a meeting with the ward representatives elected under Azimio affiliated parties to break the stalemate between them and his administration

"Wonderful discussions this morning with elected and nominated MCAs from ODM, Wiper and Jubilee. We will work together in the interest of the people of Nairobi," he stated.

Previously, a section of the ward representatives from the opposition had declined engagement with the governor and snubbed his invitation to a retreat in Mombasa.

Senator Edwin Sifuna had mounted pressure on the county boss to gazzette the sitting accusing him of intentionally delaying the swearing in of MCAs in fear of losing the speaker election.

According to the Constitution, immediately the members of county assembly take oath of office, the first order of business is to elect the speaker. 

Kenya Kwanza has fielded former County Speaker Benson Mutura who will square it out with Azimio's Ken Ng’ondi. However, Sakaja has an uphill task to secure a win for his alliance as it has the minority representation.

The Nairobi City County has 124 MCAs, 85 elected and 39 nominated. Of the 39 nominees gazetted by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), UDA and ODM have 15 each while Jubilee and  Wiper secured three and two seats respectively.

In terms of coalitions, Azimio has 65 seats compared to Kenya Kwanza's 59 - three MCAs were elected as independent candidates. Sakaja desperately needs a speaker from his coalition to easily push his agenda.

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja during a meeting with ODM, Wiper and Jubilee MCAs on Wednesday, September 21, 2022..jpg
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja during a meeting with ODM, Wiper, and Jubilee MCAs on Wednesday, September 21, 2022.
Governor Johnson Sakaja