Sakaja Faces Jail Term Over Failure to Appoint County Secretary
Nairobi County Governor Johnson Sakaja is facing the prospect of a six-month jail term after petitioners moved to court seeking contempt proceedings over his alleged failure to comply with a High Court order on the appointment of a County Secretary.
The application, filed on Thursday, April 16, accuses the governor and other county officials of disregarding binding court directives issued in December 2025, which required the immediate initiation of a competitive recruitment process for the position.
According to court documents, the High Court had issued a mandatory order of mandamus on December 5, 2025, compelling the governor to begin the recruitment process within 60 days and subsequently forward a nominee to the County Assembly within 30 days.
However, petitioners argue that the directive has not been implemented, with the position of County Secretary remaining vacant despite the lapse of the stipulated timelines.
“The continued failure to comply with the court’s judgment amounts to contempt and undermines the authority of the judiciary,” the petitioners argue through their legal representatives.
The office of County Secretary, a key administrative role within the devolved unit, has reportedly remained unfilled for more than seven years, raising concerns over governance, coordination, and accountability within Nairobi City County.
In their application, the petitioners are seeking several remedies, including the summoning of the governor to personally appear before the court, his committal to civil jail, and the imposition of penalties for non-compliance. They are also asking the court to enforce the earlier judgment to ensure the recruitment process is completed.
“This prolonged vacancy perpetuates unconstitutional governance practices and violates the principles of accountability and the rule of law,” the application states.
The matter was presented before the court, which has since scheduled it for mention on April 28, setting the stage for a potentially high-stakes legal showdown involving the county’s top leadership.
The original petition was filed by Nairobi residents in the public interest, challenging the extended absence of a substantive County Secretary since 2018. In its earlier ruling, the court found that the delay contravened constitutional provisions, particularly those outlined under Article 10, which emphasises good governance, transparency, and accountability.
Legal analysts note that contempt of court is a serious offence, with penalties including fines or imprisonment, depending on the gravity of the violation and the court’s determination.
This is not the first time Governor Sakaja has faced legal pressure over alleged non-compliance with court directives. In January, he narrowly avoided a similar outcome after being cited in a separate case involving the failure to implement a collective bargaining agreement with county workers.
Additionally, the governor has recently been at the centre of other legal and political confrontations. In late March, police officers surrounded his City Hall office in an attempt to compel his appearance before a Senate committee after he reportedly failed to honour multiple summons.
The latest court application now adds to mounting scrutiny over the governor’s leadership and adherence to legal obligations, particularly at a time when Nairobi County faces increasing demands for improved service delivery and institutional accountability.
As the April 28 court date approaches, attention will be firmly fixed on the judiciary’s next move and whether the governor will be found in contempt, a decision that could carry significant legal and political consequences.
For Nairobi residents, the outcome may also determine how quickly the county moves to fill a critical administrative position that has remained vacant for years, potentially reshaping governance structures within the capital.
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Sakaja Faces Jail Term Over Failure to Appoint County Secretary
