Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja is pointing the finger at unnamed political foes for the chaos that rocked anti-government demonstrations in the city on Tuesday, June 17.
In a Sunday statement, Sakaja declared he has “never and will never sponsor violence,” insisting those who claim otherwise “have gone as far as hiring goons to infiltrate protests and then say I sent them.”
The governor dismissed the allegations – circulated on social media and amplified by some legislators – as malicious attempts to smear his name and score quick political points. He urged residents to stay vigilant: “Let us not let rogue politicians hijack serious matters for selfish gains. The recent tragic events demand justice, not side-shows.”
Sakaja also cited Article 37 of the Constitution, reminding Nairobians of their right to peaceful assembly while condemning the vandalism and looting that marred last week’s rallies. He called for a broader national dialogue on “peace, justice, and unity,” stressing that criminal elements must not be allowed to hijack legitimate grievances.
“Those goons were hired by my political opponents to tarnish my image,” Governor Johnson Sakaja now says pic.twitter.com/9YqeNnno1c
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) June 22, 2025
His rebuttal follows separate claims that he paid Ksh 2 million to activist Calvince “Gaucho” Okoth to bankroll hooligans – a story Sakaja had already denied on Saturday, producing flight records that showed he was up-country the day the alleged deal took place.
Whether the governor’s counter-punch quells the controversy or fuels it further, the clash highlights deepening tensions ahead of fresh demonstrations set for June 25.
