Johnson Sakaja’s story has always fascinated Kenyans. To some, he is the smooth-talking politician with dimples that draw admiration from women.
To others, he has become a painful reminder of broken promises and citywide frustrations. His journey from a young party strategist in 2013, to Senator in 2017, and then Governor of Nairobi in 2022 tells of ambition, charisma, and influence.
Yet today, as impeachment talk swirls around him, his once glittering brand is collapsing under the weight of mismanagement.
From high expectations to disappointment
When Nairobians first handed him the governor’s seat, expectations were high. Residents hoped he would finally bring order to a city struggling with poor drainage, mountains of garbage, and chaotic urban planning.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja during a past Senate session. Photo: Standard Digital. Source: Facebook.
Instead, years later, the same streets flood at the slightest rainfall. Estates across Nairobi are choking in raw sewage, and the infamous dumping of waste at Stima Plaza earlier this year stands as a haunting symbol of neglect.
That incident, reportedly caused by unpaid debts between the county and the utility, shocked Kenyans. Many wondered who could justify pouring raw sewage at the doorstep of a national power company.
To ordinary residents, the act felt less like a solution and more like a mockery of their struggles.
Nairobians are already wading through clogged drains, breathing the stench of uncollected garbage, and enduring the humiliation of broken services.
To see their county government turn sewage into a bargaining chip left many with a deep sense of betrayal.
A city trapped in poor leadership
Adding to the woes, thuggery has crept back into City Hall. Reports of questionable procurement deals, missing documents, and shadowy cartels paint a grim picture.
Instead of tackling these issues, Sakaja’s administration is accused of playing outdated public relations games.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja gestures during a past rally. Photo: Sakaja Johnson Source: Facebook
From flashy press briefings to his presence on TikTok, critics argue that he spends more time chasing online clout than addressing the problems that voters expected him to fix.
Politics over service delivery
Politically, Sakaja has struggled to strike an independent tone. He has often been seen deferring to power brokers, at one time kneeling before Raila Odinga and at another pledging loyalty to President William Ruto.
His promise that there would be no protests in Nairobi left residents disillusioned when peaceful Gen Z demonstrations, including the Justice for Albert Ojwang protest, were infiltrated and turned violent.
Today, the man once seen as a youthful breath of fresh air is dismissed as the TikToker Governor. For admirers, the disappointment is deep.
For critics, the anger is overwhelming as they link their daily struggles to his failed stewardship.
Sakaja’s rise was meteoric. His fall now feels inevitable.
