Fred Ogolla: Nairobi was set up to fail due to UDA–ODM power struggle
By Paulette Mboga, September 3, 2025Governance expert Fred Ogolla has weighed in on the ongoing standoff between Governor Johnson Sakaja and the Nairobi County Assembly, saying the capital city’s government was bound to fail from the onset because of its political setup.
Speaking during a discussion on governance on a local TV on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, Ogolla argued that Nairobi was structured in a way that undermines its own leadership.
According to him, the rivalry between Governor Sakaja and the Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) is not merely about performance or policy but about political alignment and party dominance.
Ogolla pointed out that Sakaja, elected on a UDA ticket, faces constant pushback from an ODM-controlled County Assembly and an ODM Senator, Edwin Sifuna. This, he said, creates a situation where the governor is unable to fully implement his agenda because his oversight and legislative environment are controlled by rival forces.
“There is a power struggle between Governor Sakaja and the MCAs. Nairobi County was set up to fail from the beginning. Why? Because we elected Sakaja as governor from UDA and Senator Sifuna from ODM, and the majority of MCAs are also from ODM. They are the majority, not the minority, in the House. Those who should be overseeing Sakaja ought to come from UDA, but instead, his government is being ruled by ODM. This is a dysfunctional system,” Ogolla stated.
Dysfunctional arrangement
The governance expert stressed that Nairobi’s governance challenges are deeply rooted in the political mix that voters created at the ballot. Unlike other counties where the governor often enjoys the support of the majority in the assembly, Nairobi presents a unique case where the governor is almost a minority leader within his own government.
Ogolla warned that unless there is structural reform, Nairobi will remain trapped in endless battles between the executive and the assembly. He argued that this undermines service delivery and erodes public trust, as ordinary residents ultimately suffer from stalled projects and politicised decision-making.
He further noted that the situation in Nairobi should serve as a cautionary tale for voters across the country. According to him, electing leaders from different and competing parties into key positions may seem like balancing power, but in practice, it creates gridlock and stifles development.