What You Need to Know
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has refuted claims of evading arrest by police, stating he was at the Senate as required. Following a police raid at City Hall, he clarified that he had left before their arrival and emphasized his commitment to accountability. Sakaja expressed readiness to engage with the County Public Accounts Committee once underlying issues are resolved.
Africa-Press – Kenya. Nairobi City County Governor Johnson Sakaja has dismissed claims that he had gone into hiding to evade arrest by police on Monday evening when police officers surrounded his offices
Speaking on Tuesday, March 31, after presenting himself to the Senate a day after the incident, Sakaja also dismissed allegations that he was evading accountability by failing to honour the Senate summons.
According to Sakaja, by the time police raided City Hall, he had already left the premises, noting that he had been at his office all day. The county boss reiterated that the police came in the evening, past working hours.
“Who is in the office at 7 pm? They were looking for me, yet I am here at the Senate as required. I have no problem with the Senate. There is just an issue that needs to be resolved. I have nothing to run away from,” Sakaja insisted.
The governor said his decision to drive to the Senate in person was intended to put to rest speculation about his whereabouts and to demonstrate his respect for the Senate’s oversight role.
“I came to the Senate to meet the leadership and members of the committee. First, I am a law-abiding citizen,” he added.
Police had camped at City Hall on Monday evening in a bid to arrest the governor for failing to appear before the County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC), chaired by Homabay Senator Moses Kajwang’.
Sakaja dismissed claims that he was avoiding the summons deliberately, noting that he was simply following a collective resolution by the Council of Governors not to appear before CPAC.
“When the CoG raised issues regarding that specific committee, we were guided that those concerns be resolved first. Accountability is important, but it must be undertaken in the right way,” he said.
Sakaja said he had since engaged both Senate and CoG leadership to de-escalate the standoff and find a lasting solution that allows governors to submit to oversight without what he termed “unnecessary drama.
He reiterated that he remains ready to appear before CPAC once the underlying institutional issues are settled.
Earlier in the day, CoG condemned the attempted arrest of the governor, calling for the immediate withdrawal of the arrest warrants against Sakaja and Samburu Governor Jonathan Lelit.
The political landscape in Kenya has often been marked by tensions between governors and oversight committees. The Council of Governors (CoG) plays a crucial role in advocating for the interests of county leaders, especially when it comes to accountability measures. Recent incidents, such as the attempted arrest of Governor Sakaja, highlight ongoing challenges in governance and the need for clear communication between state institutions and elected officials. This situation underscores the delicate balance required to maintain oversight while respecting the autonomy of local leaders.
