Raila Odinga Intervenes in Nairobi Impeachment Drama as Kakamega Fallout Unfolds
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga is currently engaged in high-stakes political maneuvers in Nairobi as he seeks to rescue Governor Johnson Sakaja from a looming impeachment motion.
Odinga, who has summoned Nairobi County Members of County Assembly (MCAs) allied to his party, is lobbying them to abandon the plan to eject the governor from office.
According to insiders, Odinga is urging the MCAs to embrace dialogue rather than escalation, insisting that a political crisis in Nairobi, the country’s capital, would harm service delivery and send the wrong message about stability.
His meeting comes at a time when tensions within the county assembly are at their peak, with several MCAs accusing Sakaja of mismanagement, favoritism in appointments, and failing to address pressing service delivery concerns.
On the other hand, President William Ruto is also making parallel moves to shield Sakaja from the impeachment attempt. The President is hosting the United Democratic Party (UDA) MCAs from Nairobi, appealing to them to rally behind the governor.
According to sources, Ruto has emphasized the importance of protecting Nairobi’s leadership and avoiding a protracted political battle that could distract the county’s administration.
Both Ruto and Odinga, despite their differing political camps, appear to share a rare convergence of interests: preventing the removal of Governor Sakaja.
Analysts note that this unusual alignment underscores the strategic weight of Nairobi politics, with the capital city often seen as the heartbeat of national governance and economic stability.
However, just as Odinga intensifies efforts in Nairobi, unexpected political drama has emerged from Kakamega County. The county, which remains a key battleground in Western Kenya politics, is witnessing a bitter fallout following the recent elections for the county chairperson position.
Governor Fernandes Barasa was declared the winner of the contest, securing what appeared to be a smooth victory.
But in a surprising twist, Lugari Member of Parliament Nabii Nabwera has come forward to dispute the results, dramatically declaring himself the legitimate winner.
In a scathing statement posted on his official platforms, Nabwera dismissed Barasa’s victory as fraudulent, describing the certificate issued to him as “a laughable scrap of paper paraded as a certificate.” He further accused Barasa of staging “a one-man self-coronation,” branding the process as a “pitiful forgery of authority.”
Nabwera went further, questioning the governor’s judgment and leadership, rhetorically asking, “Who whispers such disastrous counsel into Barasa’s ear? Or has he become his own misguided advisor in this tragicomedy of politics?”
The open defiance threatens to plunge Kakamega into a fresh political standoff, with ODM leadership now under pressure to intervene.
Political observers argue that the fallout could weaken Odinga’s influence in Western Kenya if not addressed swiftly, especially at a time when he is balancing delicate negotiations in Nairobi.
For Odinga, the twin challenges in Nairobi and Kakamega present a complex test of his political dexterity. While working to safeguard Sakaja from impeachment in the capital, he must also contain growing divisions in Western Kenya, a region long considered central to his support base.
As the drama unfolds, all eyes remain on the ODM leader to see whether his interventions can calm tempers in both Nairobi and Kakamega—or whether the crises will deepen, reshaping the political landscape.
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