A section of Mount Kenya leaders has threatened to initiate the impeachment of Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja as his woes escalate, barely months into office.
In a video clip seen by Kenyans.co.ke, Nyeri Senator Wahome Wamatinga was heard lecturing Sakaja over perceived disrespect to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Should he not show respect to the deputy president, Wamatinga vowed that Central Kenya leaders will remove the first-term governor from office.
“Sakaja should know that the deputy president is not his age mate and so should be careful when he is addressing him.”
“If he continues disrespecting our leader, we will impeach him, after all, we know he has very questionable academic papers,” the senator vowed.
The charged senator was referring to court cases that Sakaja fought in the run up to the August 2022, which questioned the credibility of his academic papers.
The altercation between Sakaja and Gachagua started when the governor revealed plans to relocate public service vehicles from Nairobi Central Business District (CBD).
“I will meet with the Nairobi governor because I am the one who mobilized votes for him.”
“Any decision he makes that could affect the conduct of business in Nairobi must be agreed upon first,” the deputy president remarked on December 20, 2022.
Wamatinga supported Gachagua’s assertions that it is the deputy president who made Sakaja governor.
“Gachagua is the one who vouched for you in Mt Kenya so that you become governor. You must listen to him,” Wamatinga lectured the former Senator.
The deputy president was supported by Githunguri Member of Parliament Gathoni Wa Muchomba.
“Our deputy president has now spoken and I urge you to take his wise counsel and leave our Matatus alone,” the MP remarked in a statement.
While appearing in an interview with Royal Media Services on December 27, Sakaja announced that he would not be distracted in his vision to deliver for Nairobi.
“There are certain things we cannot compromise on…it is about a stand, sticking to it, and providing leadership,” Sakaja stated.
The governor received support from Western Kenya's elected leaders on his plan to decongest Nairobi.
Led by Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera the secretary to the Western Kenya Members of Parliament Caucus, the MPs asked Gachagua to let Sakaja work without distractions.
“Sakaja was elected to an office by the people of Nairobi they expect much from him, therefore the DP should present his manifesto to the people of Nairobi,” Nabii remarked in a statement on December 28.
Sakaja also got support from the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) boss Francis Atwoli, who has since thrown his weight behind President William Ruto's government.
Speaking on Saturday, December 31, 2022, Atwoli stated, “we want Sakaja to be supported to make Nairobi a great international city like Cairo, Abuja, Johannesburg, Durban, and Kigali among others.”
Sakaja, who previously served as Nairobi's second senator, took over City Hall after beating Polycarp Igathe of the Azimio la Umoja coalition.
