Ruth Odinga Challenges Raila Over Sakaja Impeachment Deal

Ruth Odinga, the sister of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and the current Kisumu Woman Representative, has openly criticized her brother’s decision to join President William Ruto in protecting Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja from being impeached.

Speaking to journalists, Ruth expressed her disappointment with the Nairobi Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) for abandoning their impeachment motion against Sakaja after holding separate meetings with Raila and Ruto.

She argued that the MCAs were exercising their constitutional duty of oversight and should have been allowed to complete the process without interference from national leaders.

Ruth Odinga Faults Move to Halt Impeachment

According to Ruth, the oversight role of MCAs is a critical pillar of devolution, and their decision to push for Sakaja’s removal reflected the concerns of Nairobi residents. She faulted both Raila and Ruto for stepping in to stop the motion before it could be debated.

“One of the key pillars of devolution is the oversight role of MCAs over county governments,” Ruth stated. “When the Nairobi MCAs declared they had lost confidence in their governor, that position should have been respected.

They should have been given the chance to move forward with the petition, and if necessary, take it to the Senate for determination. Stopping the process midway, when there were already genuine grievances, was very disappointing.”

She added that the withdrawal of the impeachment motion undermined the principle of devolution and weakened the accountability role entrusted to county assemblies by the Constitution.

“For me, it is very clear that the Nairobi MCAs betrayed the people by retreating. They should have stood firm and upheld the Constitution, which gives them the responsibility to hold the Governor accountable. In this case, they failed the people of Nairobi,” she concluded firmly.

Raila and Ruto’s Separate Efforts to Save Sakaja

The dramatic twist in Nairobi politics unfolded on Tuesday, September 2, when Raila Odinga convened a closed-door meeting with Governor Sakaja and ODM-allied MCAs at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation (JOOF).

During the meeting, Raila reportedly convinced the MCAs to suspend the impeachment push, insisting that dialogue and reconciliation were a better option than outright removal.

George Aladwa, the Nairobi County ODM Chairperson, later confirmed the meeting and revealed that the MCAs had agreed to give Sakaja one month to change his leadership approach and mend relations with the Assembly.

He added that the governor personally admitted to several shortcomings and even issued an apology to the MCAs.

“We deliberated for close to four hours. The MCAs raised all their concerns, and the governor acknowledged them. The leadership of Nairobi, as well as the party, agreed that the impeachment process should be dropped for now to give him an opportunity to make corrections,” Aladwa explained.

At the same time, President William Ruto held a separate meeting with UDA-allied MCAs at State House, Nairobi. Sources indicated that Ruto strongly cautioned the MCAs against pursuing the impeachment motion, urging them to embrace unity and work with Sakaja instead of escalating political tensions.

Why MCAs Wanted Sakaja Impeached

Before the intervention of both Raila and Ruto, ODM and UDA MCAs had already collected more than 70 signatures out of the 123 needed to table an impeachment motion. They only required 82 signatures to officially present it to the Nairobi County Assembly.

The MCAs had raised several grievances against Governor Sakaja. These included his failure to implement campaign promises, delays in the release of bursary funds, and the prolonged stalling of the Ward Development Fund.

They also accused him of sidelining the needs of ordinary Nairobi residents and failing to prioritize projects at the ward level.

Many MCAs argued that the governor’s leadership style had become detached from the realities on the ground, leaving wards neglected and residents frustrated. This frustration gave momentum to the impeachment push, which was gaining bipartisan support before the intervention of Raila and Ruto derailed it.

The Bigger Picture

Ruth Odinga’s remarks have now placed her in direct conflict with her brother Raila, who has been advocating for dialogue as a way of resolving political disputes. Her sharp criticism highlights the tension between protecting political allies and respecting constitutional processes such as oversight and accountability.

The decision to suspend Sakaja’s impeachment has sparked debate across the country, with some viewing it as a necessary move to maintain stability, while others, like Ruth, believe it undermined the spirit of devolution and the independence of county assemblies.

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