NAIROBI, Kenya — Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has vehemently dismissed allegations that he orchestrated a plan involving goons who infiltrated and caused chaos during the protests on Tuesday, June 17. The Governor has cited an alibi, stating he was outside Nairobi at the time of the alleged coordination meeting.
Reports circulating online had asserted that Governor Sakaja secretly convened with self-proclaimed Bunge la Mwananchi president Calvin Okoth Otieno, also known as Gaucho, and Swaleh Sonko on Sunday, June 15.
The purpose of this alleged meeting was to coordinate the disruption of peaceful protests, which had called for the resignation of Deputy Police Inspector General Eliud Lagat over his purported links to the murder of teacher Albert Ojwang’.
During this alleged meeting, the Governor was reportedly said to have facilitated the individuals with KSh 2 million to “neutralise” the protestors.
In a swift and firm response, Governor Sakaja labeled the allegations as “blatant lies.”
To substantiate his denial, he revealed that on the Sunday in question, he was in Lugari, Kakamega, attending church services and only returned to Nairobi the following day. He further provided a screenshot of the air ticket he booked via Skywards to back his statement.
Sakaja explicitly denied holding any recent talks with either Gaucho or Swaleh, stating on X: “Such blatant lies. On Sunday, I was in Lugari for Church and came back to Nairobi on Monday afternoon through Kitale via Skywards. Ticket below. I have not seen Gaucho since he attended the Mukuru Housing Launch or Swaleh in many months (everyone knows who he works for).”
Despite the Governor’s denial, reports indicate that goons, armed with crude weapons, infiltrated the protests in the CBD, going on a rampage. They were observed stealing from bystanders and protestors, and damaging business premises.
A video that went viral online captured these goons chanting ‘Sakaja tumelinda jiji’ as they passed outside City Hall during the demonstrations.
Furthermore, an exposé by Vivid Voice News featured multiple individuals identified as goons who claimed they were indeed hired to sabotage the protests, though the majority asserted they were shortchanged and have yet to receive their owed payments.
This current controversy follows a stern warning issued by Governor Sakaja himself prior to the Tuesday protests regarding violent conduct during demonstrations.
Speaking at a women and youth empowerment event at Sambut Primary School in Kamagut Ward on June 14, 2025, he urged protestors to maintain peace: “Even if we are angry, let’s not destroy our property. If we must demonstrate, let us do so peacefully. The next time anyone tries to destroy infrastructure, burn cars, steal from businesses, or cause chaos.”
The conflicting narratives surrounding the protest disruptions highlight the ongoing complexities of managing public dissent in Nairobi, with allegations of state-linked individuals influencing demonstrations continuing to surface.
