Nairobi Governor Sakaja Johnson is facing mounting political pressure after a senior member of the County Assembly issued a 24-hour ultimatum demanding the reversal of a controversial reshuffle in the Lands docket.
Nairobi South MCA and Deputy Minority Leader warned that failure to act could trigger a confrontation between the executive and legislative arms of the county government, escalating tensions within City Hall.
At the center of the dispute is Sakaja’s decision to transfer County Chief Officer for Lands Cecilia Koigu to the ICT and Infrastructure docket. She has been replaced by Dr. Machel Waikenda, who previously served in Mobility and Agriculture.
The changes were communicated in an internal memo dated 24 April 2026, forming part of a broader reorganization of Nairobi County’s executive leadership aimed at streamlining operations across key departments.
Chege sharply criticized the move, describing it as ill-timed, suspicious, and potentially harmful to one of the most sensitive and strategic departments within the county government.
“The Lands docket is not a political experiment. It is the backbone of Nairobi planning and development framework. Any reckless changes in leadership threaten the integrity of land governance in this city,” she said.
She warned that the reshuffle risks disrupting ongoing reforms and weakening oversight in a sector central to urban planning, zoning enforcement, development approvals, and land administration.
The Lands department plays a pivotal role in regulating development, addressing long-standing land disputes, and curbing illegal constructions, challenges that have historically complicated governance in the capital.
According to Chege, stability in leadership is critical to maintaining momentum in reforms designed to improve accountability and efficiency in land management systems.
The MCA further argued that abrupt or unexplained changes could erode institutional memory, slow down decision-making processes, and create uncertainty for investors, developers, homeowners, and residents who depend on efficient land services.
“Frequent and unexplained reshuffles weaken enforcement structures and create uncertainty at a time when Nairobi needs stability, consistency, and accountability in land governance,” she said.
She also raised concerns about transparency, alleging that the reshuffle may be influenced by undisclosed interests in a department that has often been associated with allegations of irregular land allocations and land grabbing.
While she did not provide specific evidence to support the claims, her remarks are likely to intensify scrutiny over the motivations behind the governor’s decision and fuel public debate over accountability within the county administration.
Chege demanded the immediate reinstatement of Koigu, arguing that her removal from the Lands department could derail continuity in ongoing programmes and reforms already underway.
“This is a direct ultimatum. Nairobi residents deserve clarity and accountability on how and why critical positions in the Lands docket are being altered without transparency,” she said.
She warned that failure by the governor to reverse the decision within 24 hours would prompt the County Assembly to initiate what she described as firm oversight action, setting the stage for a potential institutional standoff.
The looming confrontation highlights growing friction between the legislative and executive arms of Nairobi County, with the Lands docket once again emerging as a focal point of political contestation.
As the deadline approaches, attention now turns to whether Sakaja will yield to mounting political pressure or stand by his administrative decision, a move that could shape governance dynamics within the capital in the coming days.
