The political ceasefire in Nairobi has been shattered by a bombshell allegation. Embakasi North MP James Gakuya has publicly accused President William Ruto of signing a secret "protection deal" with Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, a pact he claims was designed solely to shield the governor from impeachment and preserve a "loophole for corruption" at City Hall.

Gakuya’s explosive remarks have ripped open the healing wounds within the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party in the capital. Speaking to supporters, the MP dismissed the recent truce brokered at State House as a charade, arguing that it sacrifices accountability on the altar of political expediency. His comments suggest that the reprieve granted to Sakaja is not about stability, but about covering up systemic rot.

The "Loophole" Allegation

The core of Gakuya’s accusation is that the deal effectively neuters the County Assembly’s oversight role. By forcing UDA MCAs to withdraw their impeachment motion, Gakuya argues the President has inadvertently sanctioned the very mismanagement the assembly sought to cure. "This is not a peace treaty; it is a license to plunder," Gakuya declared. "We are being told to look the other way while the city deteriorates, all to protect one man."

The MP drew a chilling parallel to the defunct Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS), terming the current arrangement a "replica" of the previous regime where unaccountable power centers bypassed elected representatives. He warned that by insulating Sakaja from the consequences of his administrative failures—ranging from garbage collection woes to the water crisis—the presidency is becoming complicit in the city's decline.

A House Divided

The fallout from these statements is likely to be severe. The UDA Nairobi chapter is already fractured between those loyal to the "State House accord" and a rebel faction, led by Gakuya and others, who feel the party’s grassroots manifesto is being betrayed.

• The Impeachment Context: The now-shelved motion had accused Sakaja of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and failure to deliver services. Gakuya insists these charges were substantive and that "washing them away" with a handshake sets a dangerous precedent.
• The 2027 Calculus: Analysts view Gakuya’s outburst as early positioning for the 2027 elections. By distancing himself from the Governor’s record now, Gakuya is carving out a lane as the "defender of the people" against an elite consensus.

Nairobi Watches and Waits

Governor Sakaja, who has recently pledged to work more closely with the assembly and "fix the city," now faces a renewed insurgency from within his own camp. The "protection deal" may have bought him time, but Gakuya’s defiance proves it has not bought him peace. As garbage piles up and taps run dry in parts of the city, the electorate is left wondering: is the truce for their benefit, or for the politicians? The answer, according to Gakuya, is an uncomfortable one.