Hon. Deonysias Mwangi Waithira’s resignation from his position as Githurai MCA has exposed the cracks in Nairobi’s leadership under Johnson Sakaja.
For a county that has been celebrated as the heartbeat of Kenya, the reality on the ground tells a different story. Mwangi’s letter to the Speaker of the Nairobi County Assembly makes it clear that he is stepping down not because of personal failure but because he could no longer continue being part of an administration that has failed its people.
His decision, which will take effect on November 1, 2025, is one of the boldest political statements in recent times, laying bare the frustrations of residents who have long felt abandoned.
Mwangi, elected under UDA in 2022, explained that he had exhausted all avenues of engagement with Sakaja’s administration and could no longer serve in good conscience.
He cited unfulfilled promises and outright neglect of critical projects that were supposed to improve the lives of Githurai residents. Roads remain impassable, hospitals lack basic infrastructure, and budget allocations vanish into thin air without any meaningful results.
The MCA described how Kamiti Road, Chiro Road, and Muce Road remain riddled with potholes despite repeated debates and approved budgets. He also singled out the Githurai Level 3 Hospital, which has been left exposed without a perimeter wall and continues to operate without proper staff or maternity facilities.
These are not just statistics in a report; they are daily struggles for families who have to spend hours navigating mud-filled roads and travel long distances to seek medical attention.
What makes the resignation even more damning is Mwangi’s revelation of how the county misrepresents progress. He accused Sakaja’s government of producing reports that claim projects are complete when residents see nothing on the ground.
He gave a specific example of Mutathanga Road in Kirogo, where KSh 4.9 million was spent under a 2018-2019 contract for grading and graveling, yet the road remains in ruins. Such cases paint a clear picture of incompetence and possible misuse of funds. For a governor who campaigned on promises of efficiency and digital innovation, Sakaja has instead allowed Nairobians to sink deeper into the same problems his predecessors were accused of ignoring.
Mwangi’s frustrations mirror those of ordinary Nairobians, who continue to question what value they are getting from their taxes. Sakaja’s administration has often showcased projects like new bus parks and digital payment systems, but these cosmetic changes mean little when neighborhoods like Githurai, Kayole, and Eastlands lack basic services.
The MCA’s resignation has given legitimacy to the anger that has been bubbling online, where Kenyans have criticized Sakaja for being more interested in public relations than actual service delivery.
One viral post even described his leadership as a setback for Nairobi, demanding accountability from both him and President William Ruto.
For Githurai residents, Mwangi’s exit leaves a gap in representation but also sends a strong message. His action shows that leadership is not about clinging to titles but about delivering results. It is telling that a leader from Sakaja’s own UDA party chose to quit rather than continue rubber-stamping failures.
This resignation should worry Sakaja, as it reflects growing discontent within his own political base. If even those inside his camp are disillusioned, then it is clear that his grip on Nairobi is weakening.
The resignation is more than just a local political story. It is a mirror of Nairobi’s collapsing systems, where leaders talk of grand visions but fail to address basic needs.
For residents, it is another reminder that the governor they trusted with their votes has failed to prioritize them. Unless Sakaja changes course, Nairobi risks being remembered not for progress but for broken promises and wasted opportunities.
Mwangi’s step is a rare act of accountability, and it leaves Sakaja with no excuse but to face the reality that his leadership has failed to meet the standards Nairobians deserve.
