Gloria Orwoba says Sakaja survived impeachment because of party loyalty

The former UDA senator dismissed claims that President William Ruto and the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga intervened to save Sakaja, insisting that the governor’s survival had everything to do with party politics and not merit.

“Stop blaming Raila or Ruto for saving Sakaja. Party loyalty is the reason Sakaja is not facing an impeachment at the County Assembly,” Orwoba said.

According to Orwoba, Kenya’s politics often prioritises loyalty to political parties over constitutional values and accountability.

“We disregard the constitution, integrity, morality, and humanity in exchange for party loyalty. That is the fact,” she stated.

Former nominated senator Gloria Orwoba has waded into the debate on why Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja survived an impeachment attempt at the County Assembly.

Taking to her official X account on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, Orwoba argued that it was not the influence of Raila Odinga or President William Ruto that spared him, but sheer party loyalty.

Sakaja’s impeachment

Orwoba’s remarks come after the MCAs on Tuesday, August 2, 2025, announced that they have agreed to suspend ongoing talks of impeachment, this is according to Makadara Member of Parliament (MP) George Aladwa.

Addressing the press after the closed-door meeting, Aladwa said the dialogue had yielded a unanimous decision to temporarily put the impeachment on hold, allowing Sakaja space to address concerns raised by the assembly.

“For the past few hours, we have had discussions where MCAs expressed their issues, and they were heard. With one voice, we agreed that the pending impeachment be postponed and dropped for now.

“We also agreed that the governor should continue with his work, engage constructively, and implement the corrections he has been asked to make in his leadership of Nairobi County,” Aladwa stated.

The ODM Nairobi chair added that the meeting created a platform for open and honest exchanges, noting that all sides had been allowed to air their views. He further thanked Raila Odinga for bringing together the warring factions.

“I want to sincerely thank our party leader, Raila Odinga, for bringing us together. The MCAs have all agreed to this resolution,” he said.

Despite the temporary suspension, Aladwa emphasised that the governor must take the concerns seriously. He noted that Sakaja has been given corrections on key issues and should demonstrate commitment to improve his administration.

The development is seen as a lifeline for Sakaja, whose administration has come under increasing scrutiny over stalled projects and strained relations with MCAs. Political observers argue that Raila’s intervention reflects the significance of Nairobi politics and the need to avoid the destabilisation of the capital city.

The next few weeks will be crucial in determining whether he can realign his administration, rebuild trust with the assembly, and avert the risk of renewed efforts to send him home.