Nairobi City County Governor Johnson Sakaja when he appeared before the Senate’s County Public Investments Committee at Bunge Tower in Nairobi on July 21, 2025.
President William Ruto and Orange Democratic Movement party leader Raila Odinga have been drawn into a standoff between senators and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja after the county chief failed to honour yet another Senate summons.
The governor was expected to appear before the Senate Education Committee on Thursday to explain the status of pre-primary education in Nairobi.
Despite confirming attendance earlier in the week, Mr Sakaja cancelled at the last minute through his County Executive Committee Member for Education, leaving senators furious.
To compound the matter, the governor is accused of lying that he had informed the committee’s chairperson, nominated Senator Betty Montet, of his absence. He later sent an unsigned letter to the panel, which senators dismissed as casual and disrespectful.
Kirinyaga Senator James Murango accused the governor of showing “open contempt” for the Senate, citing how his impeachment was previously averted through the intervention of President Ruto and Mr Odinga.
“He knows he is being protected by top leaders and that makes him arrogant. If he treats the Senate with such contempt, how about the Nairobi County Assembly?” Mr Murango posed.
He added: “We wanted to discuss challenges facing preschool learners, yet the governor behaves like we have no work to do. He should be summoned, fined and, if necessary, arrested.”
Committee vice-chairperson Margaret Kamar said senators had travelled from across the country, some by air, only for the governor to withdraw at the last minute.
Very arrogant
“You cannot spend public money and refuse to be accountable, no matter who protects you. This rudeness will not be tolerated,” Prof Kamar declared.
She revealed that the committee’s secretariat had tried to reach the governor since Tuesday, but communication was left to his staff. Ms Montet also refuted claims by the governor’s chief of staff that he had spoken to her.
“I want to confirm I have not talked to the governor, heard from him or looked for him,” she clarified.Machakos Senator Agnes Kavindu accused the governor of “playing games” with Senate committees.
“He failed to appear before another committee I sit in on Wednesday. It is time we implement rules, fine him, and force him to appear. This is unacceptable,” she said.
Kajiado Senator Seki Lenku described Mr Sakaja as “very arrogant,” noting he had previously ignored invitations when Lenku chaired the Trade Committee. Nominated Senator Catherine Mumma said the governor had similarly evaded the Devolution Committee, warning: “We cannot continue babysitting him. We have serious business to do.”
Laikipia Senator John Kinyua insisted the Senate must assert its authority.
“Either these people think we are idle or that we can wait until the last minute to be told they are not appearing. Which meeting could be more important than that of the Senate, which represents Kenyans?” he asked.
Mr Kinyua quipped that perhaps the governor skipped the meeting because “he knows he lied to pupils that he would give them one million chapatis.”
