NAIROBI, Kenya – Former Nairobi County Chief Officer Geoffrey Mosiria has accused Governor Johnson Sakaja of frustrating his work for nearly three years, claiming his removal from office merely formalised a fallout that began in December 2023.
In a strongly worded statement posted on X on Wednesday, October 21, Mosiria sarcastically thanked Sakaja for “making my sacking official”, alleging that the governor had stripped him of key responsibilities long before the latest administrative reshuffle.
His reaction followed changes announced by Nairobi County in which Zipporah Njeri Mwangi was assigned the acting Public Participation, Citizen Engagement and Customer Service docket previously held by Mosiria.
The former chief officer claimed his difficulties began when he was in charge of the Health docket, where he alleges his authority as an accounting officer was withdrawn and his responsibilities handed to junior officers through what he described as an unprocedural memorandum.
“Thank you, my boss, for making my sacking official. However, what you forgot to tell Nairobi residents and Kenyans is that you effectively dismissed me on 28th December 2023,” Mosiria wrote.
Mosiria Claims Health Budget Was Cut From Sh1.2 Billion to Sh100 Million
Mosiria alleged that the Health budget under his docket was reduced from Sh1.2 billion to Sh100 million, leaving him with inadequate resources to perform his duties.
He claimed the reduction followed his refusal to participate in direct procurement arrangements that he alleged would favour people close to the governor and county contractors.
Mosiria also referred to a WhatsApp conference call involving Sakaja and the governor’s Chief of Staff, Osman Khalifa, which he claimed was part of the confrontation over the disputed procurement arrangements.
The allegations have not been independently verified. No response from Sakaja addressing the specific claims was available in the material reviewed.
From Health to Environment and Customer Service
Mosiria said his subsequent transfer to the Environment department did little to resolve the dispute, claiming he was left without meaningful responsibilities while his director reported directly to the governor.
He said he instead chose to participate in street operations to continue serving Nairobi residents, even when he believed some of the tasks fell within the responsibilities of junior officers.
The former chief officer further alleged that he endured attacks in official WhatsApp groups, public criticism and a court case over alleged contempt of court that nearly resulted in a six-month jail term.
He claimed that after questioning the circumstances surrounding the case, he was transferred to the Public Participation, Citizen Engagement and Customer Service docket.
Mosiria said he remained silent despite criticism and calls for his resignation because he wanted an opportunity to work, deliver services and regain the governor’s trust.
His account follows earlier public remarks in which he traced the deterioration of his relationship with Sakaja to disagreements over his authority and responsibilities in the Health department.
Mosiria Says Sakaja Stopped Responding to His Calls
The former chief officer claimed his last meeting with Sakaja to discuss county affairs took place on December 28, 2023, at the governor’s private office in Riverside.
He said his grievances had since gone unresolved and accused the governor of rarely answering his calls or responding to his messages.
Despite the alleged difficulties, Mosiria maintained that he remained committed to Nairobi and was encouraged by residents urging him to seek the governor’s seat.
“My desire has never been to fight anyone; it has always been to fix the systems and serve the people of Nairobi,” he wrote.
Former Chief Officer Raises Alarm Over Possible Court Case
Mosiria also claimed he had received information suggesting that a court case was being prepared to have him jailed.
“I hope Nairobi people know who belongs to jail and who should serve them,” he wrote.
He did not provide independently verifiable evidence in the post to substantiate the alleged plan. The claim should therefore be treated as an allegation, not an established fact.
The statement adds to the public tensions surrounding Mosiria’s departure from City Hall, coming days after he declared an interest in contesting the Nairobi governorship in the 2027 General Election.
Sakaja Reshuffle Hands Mosiria’s Docket to Mwangi
The county’s October 21 notice, signed by County Secretary and Head of County Public Service Machel Waikenda, assigned Mwangi the acting public participation, citizen engagement and customer service responsibilities while retaining her substantive City Culture, Arts and Tourism role.
The reshuffle also designated Eng. Samwel Njogu as Acting Chief Officer for Mobility and assigned Godfrey Akumali the acting Lands docket alongside Housing and Urban Renewal.
The notice cited sections 44(3)(a), 45(5) and 64 of the County Governments Act, 2012, and stated that the changes took effect immediately. It did not explain the reasons for Mosiria’s removal from the citizen engagement portfolio.
