The political ceasefire between President William Ruto and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has been branded a "conspiracy of corruption" by Embakasi North MP James Gakuya. In a blistering attack, Gakuya claims the deal is a calculated move to insulate the city leadership from accountability, effectively turning Nairobi into a looting ground.

The gloves are off in the battle for the soul of the capital. James Gakuya, a close ally turned fierce critic, has detonated a political grenade by accusing the highest office in the land of sanitizing graft at City Hall. The "Ruto-Sakaja Pact," touted by supporters as a unity deal for development, is, according to Gakuya, a "loophole for corruption." He argues that the President’s intervention was not to save the city, but to save the Governor from impending impeachment, thereby preserving a network of patronage that benefits the elite at the expense of the Nairobi taxpayer.

The "Fish Rots from the Head"

Gakuya did not rely on innuendo; he went for the jugular. Quoting the age-old adage, "the fish rots from the head," he directly implicated the Presidency in the malaise afflicting the county. His argument is that by shielding Sakaja from oversight, the President has become an accomplice to the city’s failures. The MP pointed to the controversial "SHA" deal and other procurement scandals as evidence that insiders are eating while the city chokes on garbage and debt. "We cannot deal with corruption if Ruto and Sakaja are still in office," Gakuya declared, drawing a direct line between the two leaders and the systemic rot.

• Impeachment Shield: Gakuya alleges the pact was specifically designed to neuter the County Assembly’s oversight powers.
• Procurement Cartels: The MP claims that condemned commodities are finding their way back into the market with high-level protection.
• State Micromanagement: The accusation is that the state is micromanaging city affairs to ensure tender flows remain within a closed circle.

A Government of One Term?

The political stakes could not be higher. Gakuya warned that this "arrogance of power" is paving the way for a one-term presidency. He tapped into the growing frustration of the "Gen Z" demographic and the urban poor, who feel betrayed by the promises of the hustler narrative. By aligning himself with the unpopular decisions at City Hall, Ruto risks alienating the very voting bloc that swept him to power. Gakuya’s outburst is a symptom of a fracturing coalition where loyalty is fraying under the weight of unfulfilled promises.

This is more than just a squabble between an MP and a Governor; it is a battle for the moral legitimacy of the Kenya Kwanza administration. If the President is seen as the protector of incompetent governors, his anti-corruption crusade collapses. Gakuya has drawn a line in the sand, daring the President to choose between his political alliances and his duty to the constitution. As the accusations fly, Nairobi watches and waits, wondering if the city will ever be served, or just eaten.

The Verdict of the Streets

Ultimately, Gakuya is voicing what is whispered in the markets and matatus of Nairobi. The pact may have brought political quiet, but it hasn`t brought clean water or paved roads. The "conspiracy" label sticks because it resonates with the lived reality of the Nairobi resident. If this pact is indeed a license to loot, as Gakuya claims, then the political cost in 2027 will be catastrophic. The MP has sounded the alarm; the question is whether anyone in State House is listening.