‘Who Is in the Office at 7pm?’ – Sakaja Responds to Police Raid at City Hall

Governor Johnsn Sakaja at the senate on 31/03/202

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has dismissed claims that he went into hiding to evade arrest after police officers surrounded his office at City Hall on Monday evening.

Speaking on Tuesday, March 31, after appearing before the Senate, Sakaja denied allegations that he was avoiding accountability by failing to honour a Senate summons.

According to the governor, he had already left City Hall by the time police officers arrived, noting that he had spent the entire day at his office before their evening operation.

“Who is in the office at 7 pm? They were looking for me, yet I am here at the Senate as required. I have no problem with the Senate. There is just an issue that needs to be resolved. I have nothing to run away from,” Sakaja said.

He explained that his decision to present himself before the Senate was aimed at clearing speculation about his whereabouts and demonstrating respect for the House’s oversight role.

“I came to the Senate to meet the leadership and members of the committee. First, I am a law-abiding citizen,” he added.

Police officers had camped outside City Hall on Monday evening in an attempt to arrest the governor for failing to appear before the County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC), chaired by Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang’.

However, Sakaja maintained that his absence was in line with a collective resolution by the Council of Governors, which had raised concerns over appearing before the committee.

“When the CoG raised issues regarding that specific committee, we were guided that those concerns be resolved first. Accountability is important, but it must be undertaken in the right way,” he stated.

The governor revealed that he has since engaged both Senate and Council of Governors leadership in a bid to de-escalate the standoff and find a lasting solution.

He reiterated that he remains ready to appear before CPAC once the underlying issues are resolved, adding that oversight processes should proceed without what he termed as unnecessary drama.

Earlier, the Council of Governors condemned the attempted arrest, calling for the withdrawal of arrest warrants issued against Sakaja and Samburu Governor Jonathan Lelit.