Sakaja breaks silence on claims of hiring goons to infiltrate protests
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has strongly denied that he hired goons to infiltrate recent protests in the city, calling the claims “false, malicious, and politically motivated.”
In a passionate address to Kenyans, the governor accused certain politicians of orchestrating a smear campaign to tarnish his reputation and gain political advantage.
“Fellow Kenyans, let me be clear: I have never, and will never, sponsor violence of any kind,” Sakaja said in a video statement released on Facebook on Sunday, 22 June 2025.
“My entire political life has been anchored on principles that uphold human dignity, the rule of law, and the democratic rights of every Kenyan.”
The claims surfaced during recent Gen Z-led protests in Nairobi. While most demonstrations remained peaceful, some turned violent, leading to injuries, muggings, and the tragic shooting of trader Boniface Kariuki.
County paraphernalia
Sakaja claimed that certain individuals, whom he described as having a history of “violence, intimidation, and chaos,” had hired thugs to cause chaos during protests while falsely linking them to his office.
“They have even gone as far as giving them county paraphernalia to say they work for the county government or that they are my supporters,” he said. “Nothing is further from the truth.”
He criticised these tactics for distracting the public from real issues and “cheapening” the genuine concerns of young protesters.
“Shooting the focus to unverified claims against me is not only dishonest, it dishonours the victims, the business owners counting losses in the millions, and the people of Nairobi.”
Sakaja urges calm, accountability
Sakaja called on authorities to carry out thorough investigations and ensure those behind the violence face justice.
“As leaders, we must operate strictly within the bounds of the law, with restraint, professionalism, and an unwavering respect for human rights,” he said.
Reassuring Nairobi residents, Sakaja affirmed that his office remains “open, transparent, and committed to serving you.”
He reiterated his support for peaceful demonstrations, noting that his government had previously provided safe passage, ambulances, and health services to protesters.
However, he warned against allowing criminal groups to take over protests.
“We will not allow criminal elements to hijack our democratic space,” he said. “Let the police do their job to protect life and property. Violence, riots, killings are not signs of democracy.”
As Nairobi braces for more protests in the coming week, Sakaja urged the public to uphold the constitution and respect the law.
“We will protect our city and our beloved country in accordance with the law. May God bless Nairobi, and may God bless Kenya.”
With tensions still high, the governor’s remarks were aimed at restoring calm and reaffirming his commitment to law and order in the capital.
Author
Kenneth Mwenda
Kenneth Mwenda is a digital writer with over five years of experience. He graduated in February 2022 with a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance from The Co-operative University of Kenya. He has written news and feature stories for platforms such as Construction Review Online, Sports Brief, Briefly News, and Criptonizando. In 2023, he completed a course in Digital Investigation Techniques with AFP. He joined K24 Digital in May 2025. For inquiries, he can be reached at [email protected].
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