"Police Pretended To Arrest Sakaja To Distract Nairobians & Demolish Gikomba Market" Vocal ODM MP Says

Embakasi East Member of Parliament, Babu Owino, has accused the police of orchestrating a staged arrest of Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja as a smokescreen to divert public attention from ongoing demolitions at Gikomba Market.

Speaking on the recent events, Owino alleged that the police “pretending to arrest Johnson Sakaja was just a script to distract Nairobians.” 

He added that while the drama unfolded outside Sakaja’s offices, traders at Gikomba Market were quietly losing their livelihoods. 

“As all this was happening, demolitions continued quietly. Traders at Gikomba Market lost their businesses and their only source of income overnight. This is not leadership; it’s betrayal,” Owino said.

The police had reportedly camped at Sakaja’s office in the wake of claims that he has repeatedly skipped several summons from the Senate Committee on Public Accounts. 

However, no formal arrest was made, fueling speculation that the move was largely symbolic.

Owino’s remarks come amid growing criticism of the Nairobi County government’s handling of the demolitions, which have displaced hundreds of traders who rely on the bustling Gikomba Market for their daily income. 

Many affected traders say they received little or no notice before their stalls were razed, leaving families struggling to make ends meet.

“This is a time when the people needed accountability,” Owino said, “but instead, they were given drama and silence.” His comments highlight the tension between Nairobi County leadership and citizens over governance and the enforcement of city planning regulations.

The incident raises questions over the priorities of law enforcement and county leadership, as Kenyans watch closely how accountability and transparency will be restored for the displaced traders of Gikomba Market.