Nairobi County Assembly Speaker Ken Ng'ondi speaks during a
meeting with ODM party leader Raila Odinga/HANDOUTNairobi County Assembly Speaker Ken Ng'ondi has issued a firm reminder that the County Assembly is an independent institution and not an appendage of the Executive.
Ng'ondi issued the statement as political tension continues to rise over the impeachment motion targeting Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja.
Speaking on Tuesday during an ODM consultative meeting led by party leader Raila Odinga, Ng'ondi emphasised the assembly’s constitutional role in oversight and representation, warning against attempts to undermine its authority.
“The Assembly is not a department of the Executive. Our mandate is to legislate, represent the people, and hold the Executive accountable. County government is not a private entity; it belongs to the people,” Ng'ondi stated.
His comments come amid a deepening political standoff surrounding Sakaja’s leadership, with a renewed impeachment push gaining traction among Members of the County Assembly (MCAs).
A total of 96 out of 122 MCAs are reported to have met at City Hall this week and signaled their intent to remove Sakaja and his deputy, James Muchiri, from office.
Raila, who presided over the ODM meeting, echoed Ng'ondi’s sentiments, stressing the importance of protecting devolution and ensuring county institutions remain people-centered.
While the impeachment motion appears to have significant backing, reports indicate that behind-the-scenes interventions by President William Ruto and Raila may have temporarily eased tensions.
Ruto reportedly convened a separate UDA meeting at State House, Nairobi, where he cautioned his allies against pursuing the impeachment motion, urging dialogue instead.
Despite the apparent cooling of tensions, political observers say the situation remains fluid, with the Nairobi County Assembly under close watch as the process unfolds.
As pressure mounts and alliances shift, Ng'ondi’s strong affirmation of the Assembly's independence is likely to play a key role in shaping how the impeachment saga proceeds—and how the broader questions of governance and accountability in Nairobi City County are addressed.
MCAs point to unfulfilled commitments since Sakaja took office—many development projects across wards remain incomplete, leaving residents frustrated. They cite a lack of tangible progress as a key grievance.
