Governor Johnson Sakaja is facing fresh pressure after serious questions were raised about how Nairobi City Hall is managing public money, following the discovery of Sh151 million in a bank account that was not listed in official county records.
The shocking revelation has put his administration on the spot, with critics arguing that such a large amount of money cannot simply appear overnight without the knowledge or responsibility of the county’s top leadership.
The Sh151 million is said to have been found in an account that was opened quietly, away from the usual financial systems and without being captured in official records.
This alone has raised deep concerns about transparency under Sakaja’s leadership.
Even more worrying is the claim that the account had silent signatories, individuals who could approve transactions but whose roles were not publicly declared.
This has made it extremely difficult to establish who authorized the movement of the money and what it was actually meant for.
City Hall officials have given conflicting explanations, further deepening suspicion. Some insiders say the money was intended for urgent operations or special projects that required speed and discretion.
Others strongly disagree, insisting that there was no legal approval to open such an account or to receive such a huge amount of money without following proper procedures.
The lack of a clear and consistent explanation has fueled the belief that something is being hidden.
Members of the County Assembly have now turned their attention directly to Governor Sakaja, demanding that he takes political responsibility for what happens under his watch.
They are asking basic but critical questions that remain unanswered. Where did the Sh151 million come from? Who approved its deposit? Why were standard financial controls ignored?
For an administration that promised openness and reform, these questions strike at the heart of its credibility.
Calls for an independent audit are growing louder. MCAs and civil society groups argue that internal explanations are no longer enough and that only an external and independent review can restore confidence.
Anti-corruption agencies are also said to be closely monitoring the situation. If investigations confirm misuse of public funds or abuse of office, those involved could face serious legal consequences, a development that would deal a heavy blow to Sakaja’s administration.
Experts warn that secret accounts are a dangerous practice in public finance.
They undermine trust, weaken accountability, and create room for corruption and fraud.
In a city like Nairobi, where residents struggle daily with poor services, any suspicion of hidden money is bound to cause anger.
