Gakuya: Sakaja’s impeachment is long overdue
By Cynthia Lodite, February 20, 2026Embakasi North Member of Parliament James Gakuya has intensified criticism against Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, calling for his impeachment following the recent transfer of functions from the county level to the national government.
Speaking during an interview with a local media house on Friday, February 20, 2026, Gakuya highlighted past attempts by the Nairobi Members of the County Assembly to impeach him as Nairobi Governor.
“The impeachment of Governor Johnson Sakaja is long overdue because members of the county government are the ones who have checked the governor and arrived at a conclusion that the governor has stalled and he is not making any strides to thrive,’ Gakuya said.
On his part, the legislator seconded the MCA’s past decision to oust Sakaja, which he says was held back following an agreement by President William Ruto and the late Raila Odinga.
“At that point in time, they anonymously decided to anonymously agree to send him home,” he added.
The Embakasi Member of Parliament further dismissed Sakaja’s decision to transfer some functions from the Nairobi County management to the National Government.
According to Gakuya, the move showed Sakaja’s lack of capacity in handling the Nairobi County.
“The transfer of functions shows that the national government has acknowledged that Sakaja is a failure,” Gakuya stated.
Transfer of Functions
Gakuya’s remarks come days after President William Ruto clarified that there is no transfer of functions happening between Nairobi County and the national government, stating that he has no interest in running the city.
Ruto made his remarks during the national government and the Nairobi County pact at State House, Nairobi, on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
The Head of State maintained that Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja will still run the city together with the team.
“Let me repeat, there is no transfer of functions happening. For the avoidance of doubt, I have no interest in running the city of Nairobi. My hands are full. The governor and his team must run the city of Nairobi,” Ruto stated.
Likewise, Ruto noted that his obligation as the President is to assist the city and that the Nairobi City County Government will still retain its legal mandate.
“But I have an obligation as the president of Kenya to assist the city of Nairobi for all the reasons that I have stated. The Nairobi City County Government retains its legal mandate,” he added.
According to Ruto, what is being enhanced is structured national government support, where Nairobi city’s performance affects the entire republic; hence, the cooperation agreement focuses on four key work streams.