Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has been granted a reprieve from impeachment after high-level talks led by Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga.

On Tuesday, September 2, Raila met privately with Sakaja and ODM-affiliated Members of the County Assembly (MCAs), convincing them to pause their impeachment efforts to allow room for dialogue and reconciliation between the Governor and the Assembly.

Nairobi County ODM Chairperson George Aladwa later confirmed the outcome, telling reporters that the MCAs had agreed to shelve the motion for one month to give Sakaja a chance to realign his leadership and repair relations with the Assembly.

He further disclosed that Sakaja admitted to the accusations raised by the MCAs and offered them an apology during the talks.

”We have deliberated for nearly four hours, and the MCAs have raised all their concerns. Nairobi leadership, as well as the party, has also resolved to drop the impending impeachment to allow us to correct the wrong,” Aladwa said. 

Adding “We have agreed that the Governor should be allowed to serve the people of Nairobi. We have also asked him to consider all that was contested about him or us to move forward.”

The talks concluded with an agreement to suspend the motion for one month, giving both parties time to resolve the disputed matters.

Aladwa, who also serves as Makadara MP, said the move was intended to foster unity in the city and prevent unnecessary political confrontations, ultimately in the best interest of Nairobi residents.

“We have resolved that the concerns raised will be addressed within one month. This is to allow the governor time to concentrate on delivering services to the people of Nairobi,” he continued.

The meeting brought together ODM MPs and several seasoned city politicians, while reports indicated that senior United Democratic Alliance (UDA) leaders also held a parallel session with their MCAs in the Assembly to pursue a similar resolution.

On Sunday and Monday, ODM and UDA MCAs managed to collect over 70 signatures in the 123-member Assembly as part of efforts to initiate an impeachment motion against Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja. However, they fell short of the 82 signatures required to formally table the motion.

Among their main grievances were the Governor’s alleged failure to deliver on campaign pledges, delays in releasing bursaries, and the stalled Ward Development Fund.

They further accused him of sidelining the needs of Nairobi residents and disregarding ward-level priorities.