Let’s Work for the People” ODM Urges Calm as Sakaja Gets Reprieve
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By Liz Anyango
Leaders of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Tuesday urged Nairobi residents and their representatives to embrace unity after Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) agreed to hold off on their plan to impeach Governor Johnson Sakaja, giving him more time to respond to their concerns.
The move came after a series of intense consultations involving party leaders and senior national figures, who stepped in to mediate and ensure essential services in the capital were not disrupted.
ODM Nairobi officials among them County Chairman and Makadara MP George (Omwera) Aladwa, Dagoretti North MP Beatrice Elachi, and Woman Representative Esther Passaris met with ward representatives and the Governor in several sessions.
These engagements resulted in the MCAs settling on a 30-day suspension of the impeachment motion.
Party leaders explained that the temporary pause was designed to create space for dialogue and allow the county administration to press ahead with pending work.
The mediation efforts reached the top echelons of leadership: ODM leader Raila Odinga convened meetings with Azimio-allied MCAs, while President William Ruto separately met with UDA ward reps a rare moment of cooperation between the country’s main political rivals to ease a looming city crisis.
Reports indicated that both urged patience and dialogue, warning that political instability in Nairobi could harm national development and interrupt vital services.
Sources within the party noted that Governor Sakaja accepted the outcome, apologising for actions that may have escalated tensions and welcoming the additional time to respond to the MCAs’ demands.
ODM leaders described the 30-day reprieve as a chance to refocus on service delivery, address pending bills affecting contractors and residents, and resolve oversight and procurement disputes through talks rather than confrontation.
The message to “unite and work for the people” comes at a time when scrutiny of Nairobi’s leadership is at its peak. Lawmakers from the city are already at the centre of heated national debates, with some controversial bills sparking strong reactions from civil society and youth groups.
Nairobi MPs said they would use the pause to advance stalled legislation and consult stakeholders on reforms that affect the city.
For now, the impeachment has been shelved, but ODM leaders made it clear the grace period is not indefinite.
“Visible progress must be made, and the Governor must directly address the governance and procurement issues raised by the MCAs.”
If that does not happen, they cautioned, the ouster motion could be revived making the next month a key test of whether political goodwill can be turned into real change for Nairobi’s people.
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