I Did Everything Required” – Governor Sakaja Defends Himself in Court Over Contempt Case
The governor told the court that he acted immediately after becoming aware of the court directive and instructed the county attorney to execute it.
Photo: Courtesy.
By Robert Mutasi
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja on Wednesday appeared in court to defend himself against contempt charges over his alleged failure to appoint a substantive County Secretary despite a court order directing him to do so.
Sakaja was compelled to appear in person before the court after petitioners accused him of disobeying orders issued on December 5, 2025, which required him to initiate a competitive recruitment process and appoint a County Secretary within 60 days.
The petitioners moved to court seeking to have the governor cited for contempt and committed to civil jail or subjected to any other penalty the court may deem appropriate for what they term as deliberate disobedience of court orders.
While appearing before the court, Sakaja was put to task to explain the steps he had taken to comply with the judgment.
The governor told the court that he acted immediately after becoming aware of the court directive and instructed the county attorney to execute it.
“As soon as I was made aware of the judgement, I directed the county attorney to execute it which I received. I did everything required of me,” Sakaja told the court.
The governor, however, explained that appointing a County Secretary was not a decision he could make alone, arguing that the process involves several constitutional and statutory actors and is guided by checks and balances.
“Fortunately not. We have systems of check and balances in our Constitution. There are different players to be involved,” he said when asked whether he could proceed with the appointment without input from other parties.
Sakaja told the court that the process begins with the selection panel, which is required to conduct the recruitment and make recommendations before the governor can proceed with the next stage. He also pointed to the involvement of members of the public in the process, who are given an opportunity to give their views.
The governor further referred to provisions of the County Governments Act governing the appointment process, including the role of the county assembly in vetting the nominee.
Sakaja confirmed that once the selection panel completes the recruitment process and makes its recommendation, his role is to forward the nominee to the county assembly for consideration, after which he no longer controls the process.
“Once I forwarded as I did to the Speaker of the County Assembly, it’s not in my hands, it’s in their court for them to follow the process,” he told the court.
The petitioners argue that Sakaja’s failure to comply with the court order has affected service delivery in Nairobi because the county continues to operate without a substantive County Secretary, and that failure to enforce the court orders risks undermining public confidence in the judiciary.
They are seeking orders citing Sakaja for contempt, requiring him to appear in person and committing him to civil jail or imposing another penalty as the court considers appropriate.
Sakaja’s defence team, however, urged the court to dismiss the contempt application, maintaining that the governor had taken all necessary steps towards implementing the court’s orders and should not be held personally liable for delays beyond his control.
The court is expected to deliver a ruling on whether Sakaja will be held in contempt.
This is not the first time the Nairobi Governor has faced contempt-related proceedings. He has previously faced pressure from the Senate after a Senate watchdog committee fined him Sh500,000 and ordered his arrest for failing to honour summons.
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