Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja recently withdrew as a key witness in Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua impeachment trial, opting to attend the Bloomberg CityLab summit in Mexico instead.
Sakaja was expected to testify regarding Gachagua’s alleged interference in Nairobi County affairs and incitement against relocating traders.
His decision to step down as a witness has sparked speculation about the implications for the impeachment case, as his testimony was anticipated to play a crucial role.
So where’s Sakaja?
According to media reports, Sakaja is in Mexico City attending the Bloomberg CityLab 2024 summit, where he features as one of the keynote speakers.
He joins discussions on urban governance, highlighting the role of youth in shaping city policies.
“Later today, Bloomberg CityLab reporter Fola Akinnibi will join Governor Sakaja Arthur Johnson of Nairobi, Kenya, to talk about what cities can learn from putting young people at the heart of decision-making,” the event programme read.
In his affidavit, Sakaja had accused Gachagua of opposing the relocation of traders from Nairobi’s Wakulima Market to Kangundo Road Market.
Sakaja stated that this was a decision of the county government and not that of the office of the DP, hence Gachagua violated the principle of separation of powers.
The Nairobi Governor said in his affidavit that on or around September 20, Gachagua ‘’in reckless disregard of the high calling and dignified status of the office of the DP, unlawfully interfered with the running of the Nairobi City County Government by holding a rally and inciting citizens against lawful directives in the planning and management of the markets”.
He went on to argue that the DP has previously used ethnic incitement to interfere with the county government’s management of traffic in Nairobi especially the relocation of matatu terminals through ethnic incitement.
“Moreover, His Excellency Rigathi Gachagua has interfered with the proper discharge of county governments’ constitutional functions regarding alcohol control and regulation,” Sakaja’s affidavit reads in part.
“I believe that Gachagua’s incitement and demeaning public statements and conduct are impeachable offences. They undermine devolution, the functional and institutional integrity of the county government and unjustifiably denigrate and ridicule the leadership of county governments.”
