Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has sharply criticized events at City Hall on March 30, terming the dramatic scenes involving Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja as a calculated distraction from the ongoing demolitions at Gikomba Market.
In a strongly worded statement, Owino alleged that the police presence and apparent attempt to arrest the governor was “scripted” to divert public attention.
“Yesterday’s drama at City Hall was painful to watch, not because it was real, but because it was staged,” Owino said.
Questions Raised Over Sakaja’s ‘Disappearance’
The legislator further questioned what he described as the governor’s sudden inaccessibility at a critical moment.
According to Owino, Sakaja’s “disappearance” appeared deliberate, leaving Nairobi residents without answers as traders faced eviction.
“The police showing up pretending to arrest Johnson Sakaja was just a script to distract Nairobians. At the same time, his ‘disappearance’ felt deliberate, so he could not be reached when people needed answers,” he added.
Demolitions at Gikomba Continue Amid Silence
While the alleged drama unfolded at City Hall, demolitions in parts of Gikomba Market, particularly the shoe section, continued, leaving traders devastated.
The county government has maintained that the exercise is part of enforcing a 30-meter riparian buffer along the Nairobi River.
However, Owino argued that the timing and manner of execution reflected a lack of empathy and accountability from the county leadership.
“As all this was happening, demolitions continued quietly. Traders at Gikomba lost their businesses, their stock, and their only source of income overnight,” he stated.
The demolitions have displaced numerous small-scale traders who depend on Gikomba Market for their livelihoods.
Owino concluded his statement with a scathing indictment of the county’s handling of the situation, accusing leaders of abandoning their responsibility to the people.
“This is not leadership. It’s betrayal. When the people needed accountability, they were given drama and silence.”
The controversy now places increased pressure on the Nairobi County government to respond to the allegations and address the grievances of affected traders.
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