Aasai

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has broken his silence over allegations that he was behind the hiring of goons who infiltrated and caused chaos during protests held in the city on Tuesday, June 18, 2025. In a detailed statement issued on Sunday, June 22, Sakaja dismissed the accusations as baseless, politically motivated, and deliberately aimed at tarnishing his image at a critical time when the country is grappling with calls for justice and accountability from young Kenyans.

The protests, largely driven by Gen Z activists, were held in response to the growing outcry against police brutality following the death of popular teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang’. The demonstrations started peacefully, with hundreds of youth marching through Nairobi’s Central Business District, chanting slogans demanding reforms and condemning extrajudicial killings. However, what began as a solemn and organized procession quickly spiraled into violence when a group of unidentified individuals—armed with batons and crude weapons—joined the crowd and began attacking protesters and looting businesses.

 Eyewitnesses reported that these groups operated with apparent impunity, as law enforcement officers stood by without intervening. The resulting chaos left many injured and several business owners counting heavy losses. The most disturbing incident involved Boniface Kariuki, a face mask vendor who was shot in the head at close range during the commotion. He remains hospitalized in critical condition at the Kenyatta National Hospital ICU. In the aftermath, fingers were pointed at various political figures, with some claiming the goons were hired to sabotage the protest.

A few of the alleged perpetrators even claimed they had been paid to cause the disruptions. This led to speculation that Governor Sakaja may have financed the operation—a claim he has now come out to vehemently deny. “I want to set the record straight: I have never and will never sponsor violence of any kind,” Sakaja said in his video address. “These claims are not only false but malicious. They are politically motivated attempts to drag my name into a shameful narrative.” The Governor reiterated that throughout his political career, he has championed siasa safi—a Swahili term meaning “clean politics”—which emphasizes respect for human rights, the rule of law, and democratic principles.

 “I have never used violence to gain power. My record speaks for itself,” he said. Sakaja accused unnamed political rivals of exploiting the protest for personal gain and using dirty tricks to discredit him. He claimed that these individuals had gone as far as providing the alleged goons with county government uniforms and branded items to make it appear as if they were affiliated with the Nairobi City County or directly under his command. “Nothing could be further from the truth,” he added. “I urge Nairobi residents and Kenyans at large not to be misled by rogue politicians who seek to hijack genuine causes for selfish interests.” The Governor also condemned the violence that marred the protests and expressed solidarity with the victims. He called for swift and impartial investigations to identify and prosecute those responsible for instigating the violence, regardless of their political affiliations.

“Focusing on unverified allegations against me only serves to distract from the real issues. It dishonors the memory of those who were injured and the business owners who suffered devastating losses. The perpetrators must be brought to justice,” he emphasized. His remarks come ahead of a planned peaceful memorial march scheduled for June 25 in Nairobi, organized to honor victims of police brutality, particularly those affected during the 2024 Gen Z-led demonstrations against the controversial Finance Bill.

While the police have pledged to provide adequate security during the march, concerns remain about the potential re-emergence of hired thugs seeking to disrupt the peaceful procession. Governor Sakaja concluded his statement by urging for national unity, justice for the victims, and a collective stand against those who exploit chaos for political mileage.