Alex Mwakideu questions whether Ruto, Raila will defend other governors like Sakaja
By Paulette Mboga, September 3, 2025Radio host Alex Mwakideu has raised pointed questions about the treatment of Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, asking whether other governors facing similar challenges would receive the same level of protection from national leaders.
Speaking on social media on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, Mwakideu criticised what he described as a selective approach by political figures in defending county executives.
According to Mwakideu, many governors have attended the Senate in various capacities, yet he has not observed the president working closely with the ODM party leader to “kuokoa gavana flani,” as seen in Sakaja’s case. He questioned the precedent this sets for the country and whether Nairobi is the only county where such intervention occurs.
“Magavana wengi wamefika katika senate. Sijaona rais akishirikiana na kiongozi wa chama cha ODM wakishikana kuokoa gavana flani,” he said.
“So ni picha mpya ambayo nimepata. Najiuliza maswali sio tu Nairobi, pakitokea gavana mwengine tuseme kama ni Mombasa mtindo utakua huu huu? Najiuliza maswali tu. Ama ni Nairobi pekee yake?”
Question of fairness
Mwakideu went further to ask whether other governors who face potential impeachment or removal would receive the same support. He emphasised that leaders should consider the message they are sending to the public and whether selectively defending some governors while ignoring others paints the right picture for the nation.
“Pakitokea na gavana mwengine wa kubanduliwa, pia yeye atatetewa? Ni vyema viongozi hawa kumwokoa kama madai yale yalikuwa ya kweli? Kuna picha gani ambayo tunaiweka katika nchi yetu?
“Ni kitu gani Sakaja amefanya ndio aokolewe? Kama ningekuwa gavana wa Taita Taveta ningempigia simu Sakaja nimuulize, ‘Nini hichi unafanya ukaokolewe?’ Niambie pia mimi nianze kufanya ili pia mimi niokolewe wakati wangu ukifika,” he added.
President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga stepped in to calm tensions over the possible impeachment of Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja. Meeting with Nairobi MCAs on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, the two leaders urged political actors to prioritise dialogue and the delivery of public services above partisan battles.
By asking these questions, Mwakideu challenges political actors to clarify the principles guiding interventions and to ensure consistent standards are applied to all governors.