Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja is at the center of fresh controversy following online allegations that he orchestrated disruptions during the June 12 protests by hiring goons to infiltrate and destabilize peaceful demonstrators.
The claims, which gained traction on social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), suggest that Sakaja stage-managed chaos to discredit the protests, which were held in response to the controversial death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang.
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A screenshot of an alleged WhatsApp group chat, which appears to involve senior county officials, has been widely circulated.
The messages reportedly show a conversation where individuals discuss paying hired youths to vandalize property and create disorder during the protest.
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One message, allegedly from Sakaja, praises the tactic, saying he would send money via M-Pesa to reward the group for a “job well done.” Another message attributed to a chief officer refers to the tactic of vandalizing litter bins as a way to avoid suspicion.
Despite the uproar these screenshots have caused online, their authenticity remains unverified.
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No credible news outlet or investigative body has confirmed the existence of the WhatsApp group, and none of the phone numbers associated with the messages have been independently authenticated.
The evidence remains largely speculative, circulating without proper verification.
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This is not the first time Sakaja has been accused of such tactics.
During the 2024 Gen Z protests, he was similarly accused of sponsoring disruptions, allegations he strongly denied. In that instance, he maintained he was out of the city and blamed political operatives for staging the chaos.
In March 2025, a blog report also claimed he congratulated goons for attacking MP Peter Salasya, again based on an alleged WhatsApp conversation that was never verified.
The political environment in Nairobi remains tense, especially following the death of Albert Ojwang, which has sparked public outcry and a demand for police accountability.
As pressure mounts on leaders to respond to growing unrest, narratives around the protests have become a battleground for both political messaging and misinformation.
While the online allegations are gaining attention, they currently lack the concrete proof necessary to implicate Governor Sakaja.
No verified screenshots, forensic analysis, or whistleblower testimony has emerged to confirm his direct involvement.
Without independent verification, the claims remain speculative, and their timing amid heightened political tension suggests they could be politically motivated.
Governor Sakaja has yet to respond publicly to the latest allegations.
His past denials of similar claims, combined with the absence of credible evidence, underscore the need for caution in drawing conclusions from circulating social media content.
