Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja and Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko have both recently made visits to Raila Odinga’s home in Bondo, seemingly seeking political protection amidst increasing threats of impeachment and rivalry from political opponents.
Sakaja Courts Azimio MCAs to Avert Impeachment Threats
On Monday, 9th September, Governor Sakaja held a meeting with Azimio Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) at his campaign offices in Riverside, Nairobi. The meeting included both elected and nominated Azimio MCAs and centred on discussions around development plans for all 85 wards in Nairobi County for the current financial year. The governor assured the MCAs of his commitment to service delivery and development projects aimed at benefiting the city’s residents.
Governor Sakaja is facing a potential impeachment move led by some members of the county assembly, citing alleged theft of public resources and incompetence. The meeting with Raila Odinga at his Bondo home was widely perceived as a strategic move to gain Odinga’s support and persuade Nairobi MCAs, particularly those aligned with ODM and Azimio, to drop their plans for impeachment.
Despite criticism of Odinga for allegedly shielding underperforming politicians in exchange for gifts or political favours, Sakaja appears to have successfully garnered the support needed to focus on defending his seat in the 2027 elections.
Migori Governor Ayacko Seeks Out Odinga For Protection
Governor Ochilo Ayacko of Migori County has also made overtures to Raila Odinga, visiting his farm in Opoda, Bondo, with Odinga;s relatives and gifts from Migori. Ayacko, facing political rivalry from local MPs such as Mark Nyamita (Uriri) and Peter Masara (Suna West), mobilised other regional governors—Anyang’ Nyong’o (Kisumu), James Orengo (Siaya), and Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay)—to appeal to Odinga for protection. Ayacko’s move to bring members of his Sakwa clan from Awendo in Migori has been criticised as a divisive tactic that brings clan politics into the governance of the region.
Critics argue that Raila Odinga’s influence over local politics has allowed mediocre and ineffective leaders to remain in power. Odinga, who has been known to support several of his relatives in political roles, including Gladys Wanga, Moses Kajwang’, Ochilo Ayacko, Oburu Oginga, Ruth Odinga, and Winnie Odinga, is now facing allegations of undermining efforts to combat corruption and promote good governance in the counties.
New Criticism Over Odinga’s Influence
With Raila Odinga’s apparent support of both Sakaja and Ayacko, questions are being raised about his role in protecting corrupt or incompetent leaders. In Migori, a motion for Ayacko’s impeachment had been prepared, and the governor has been scrambling to secure the support of MCAs to avoid removal. Ayacko has been criticised for his lack of a clear development agenda, relying on projects initiated by others, such as his predecessor Okoth Obado or local MPs.
Despite receiving Ksh 22 billion in shared revenue from the National Government, Ayacko has not initiated new projects or hired staff to run health facilities built by his predecessor. His critics argue that he is merely riding on the coattails of projects started by local MPs, such as the construction of markets in Uriri and Ntimaru, which were initiated by MPs Mark Nyamita and Kitayama Maisori, respectively.
As both Sakaja and Ayacko look to Raila Odinga for political cover, concerns are growing that the outgoing ODM Party Leader’s influence may be more harmful than beneficial to efforts aimed at promoting transparency and accountability in government, especially in counties whose Governors have been cosying up to him.