Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has dismissed claims that he went into hiding to evade arrest after police surrounded City Hall on Monday evening. Speaking on Tuesday after appearing before the Senate, he said he had left his office before the 7pm raid and was following a Council of Governors resolution. The Council of Governors condemned the attempted arrest and demanded withdrawal of warrants.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja spoke on Tuesday, March 31, after presenting himself to the Senate hours after police attempted to arrest him at City Hall on Monday evening, March 30. Police had surrounded the offices to arrest him for failing to appear before the Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC), chaired by Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang'.
"Who is in the office at 7 pm? They were looking for me, yet I am here at the Senate as required. I have no problem with the Senate. There is just an issue that needs to be resolved. I have nothing to run away from," Sakaja insisted.
Sakaja said he had been at his office all day and left after working hours. He was following a Council of Governors (CoG) resolution to snub CPAC summons until institutional issues are resolved. CoG, led by chair Ahmed Abdullahi, condemned the attempted arrest and urged Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to withdraw warrants against Sakaja and Samburu Governor Jonathan Lelit.
"We demand the immediate withdrawal of the alleged warrants of arrest or any coercive measures against governors, pending an impartial determination," Abdullahi stated. The governors said they remain ready to appear once claims of intimidation by certain senators are addressed.