Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja is now facing serious accusations of sponsoring violence during protests that followed the death of blogger Albert Ojwang.
The claims, which have been supported by disturbing videos and reports from respected journalists and leaders, suggest that Sakaja sent goons to stab women in Nairobi’s CBD with the aim of blaming the violence on peaceful protesters.
This is a dangerous and shameful strategy, it exposes how far some leaders are willing to go to protect their power. The timing of these attacks, coming just after Ojwang’s death in police custody, raises major questions about the real intentions behind the chaos that unfolded in the city.
Investigative journalist Dennis Okari and blogger Wayne Gakuo both exposed claims that Sakaja’s hired gangs were ordered to attack women during the June 17 protest. This was not just an act of violence; it was a calculated move meant to create outrage and shift blame onto demonstrators.
A video from The Standard shows goons waving clubs and shouting Sakaja’s name in the CBD, bragging that they had “defended the city.” Such scenes are impossible to ignore, and they point directly to a coordinated and politically backed operation.
The evidence of a governor using public resources to sponsor such brutality should not be watered down by political statements or clever public relations.
Even though Sakaja has come out to deny the accusations, his responses do not match the seriousness of what happened. He says he was not involved, claiming that he was away in Diani and that Nairobi County had no connection to any gang.
But if the goons were not his, why were they coming from City Hall? Why were they chanting his name? Why has no real action been taken to arrest them despite clear videos of their faces? It is clear that the goons enjoyed some form of protection, and the police conveniently ignored their actions.
This is what makes the whole issue look like state-backed violence.
MP Babu Owino and other leaders have openly called out Sakaja, labeling his actions as planned terror disguised as protest chaos. Many Kenyans have now joined in demanding that he resign, especially after the fatal shooting of hawker Boniface Kariuki. Instead of providing answers, Sakaja has kept repeating blanket statements condemning the violence.
But the public is not fooled. You can’t order attacks and then pretend to care about peace after lives are lost.
The fact that women were targeted makes the whole thing even more disgusting. This was not just about disrupting protests it was about spreading fear, painting protesters as dangerous, and protecting the image of a government that is clearly under pressure.
Sakaja’s attempts to deny involvement, while goons shout his name and journalists link him directly to the chaos, only show that his explanations are weak and unconvincing. If he had nothing to hide, he would be the first to demand arrests and investigations, not just issue soft press releases.
Nairobi deserves better than a leader who is linked to sponsoring thugs and covering up violence with political lies. The protests were not criminal until hired goons came in with weapons and started attacking innocent people.
And now, women are left injured, a hawker has been shot currently in a bad condition, and a city is living in fear. This is not leadership. This is abuse of power, and if Sakaja still has any shame left, he should step down and allow real investigations to take place.
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