Saboti Member of Parliament (MP) Caleb Amisi has criticised Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja over his way of handling the capital.

Speaking during an interview with a local TV station on Thursday, March 12, 2026, Amisi claimed that Sakaja is now out of touch, arguing that the city is being mismanaged.

Amisi proposed that Nairobi should not operate as a typical county but as a metropolis managed like a ministry, drawing parallels with global cities such as New York.

“Sakaja is out of touch with his county. Nairobi needs to be a metropolis managed as a ministry and not a county, devoid of political imagination. I have proposed this, and I still hold the view,” Amisi said.

Nairobi under NMS

He praised the administration of General Mohamed Badi under the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) for restoring order during the tenure of former Governor Mike Sonko.

“When General Badi took over under NMS against Mike Sonko’s theatrics, he was able to put order in the city,” Amisi added.

Sakaja’s resignation calls

The remarks come amid growing criticism of Sakaja’s leadership, particularly regarding city management, infrastructure projects, and service delivery.

Calls to have Sakaja resign have intensified in the recent past following widespread flooding and disruption in the city.

However, he has dismissed the calls, insisting he remains focused on addressing the capital’s challenges despite mounting criticism.

Speaking on Sunday, March 8, 2026, after heavy rains that left parts of Nairobi flooded and caused widespread damage, Sakaja said he is committed to working within the limitations facing the county government.

“I am not resigning. I am working, and every day I do my best given the limitations we have as a city,” Sakaja said.

“Expectations are extremely high, and I understand them, but I genuinely put myself out there to solve the problems with what I have.”

The governor defended the county’s emergency response measures, including the deployment of rescue boats during flooding incidents in several estates.

Sakaja also argued that the scale of investment required to modernise the capital far exceeds the county’s current financial capacity.

“The sheer amount required for a capital of our stature if we want to go to Singapore is a minimum of Ksh60 billion,” he said. “Otherwise, I am a glorified cashier paying salaries.”

Deal with Ruto

Sakaja recently signed a cooperation agreement with President William Ruto at State House, Nairobi.

The move has raised concerns that have already drawn scrutiny from political leaders who warn that the deal could undermine county autonomy and devolution as entrenched in the Constitution.

Among the areas of collaboration agreed upon between the national government and Nairobi County are refuse management, county roads, markets, housing, and water.