By GPC Reporter
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja’s removal of Geoffrey Mosiria from his county government position has triggered a public fallout, with the former chief officer accusing his boss of frustrating him for nearly three years.
Mosiria hit back on Wednesday, hours after the county announced administrative changes that effectively removed him from the Public Participation, Citizen Engagement and Customer Service docket.
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In a statement addressed to Sakaja, Mosiria sarcastically thanked the governor for making his sacking official, arguing that he had lost his authority long before the latest reshuffle.
“Thank you, my boss, for making my sacking official,” he wrote, claiming that the breakdown in their working relationship began on December 28, 2023.
Mosiria alleged that Sakaja stripped him of his responsibilities as an accounting officer in the health department and transferred the functions to junior officers.
He further claimed that the health budget under his docket was reduced from Sh1.2 billion to Sh100 million, leaving him unable to discharge his responsibilities effectively.
According to Mosiria, the changes followed his refusal to participate in direct procurement arrangements that he alleged would favour individuals close to the governor and county contractors.
The allegations had not been independently verified by the time of publication.
County reshuffle takes immediate effect
The administrative changes were communicated in a notice dated October 21 and signed by Nairobi County Secretary and Head of Public Service Dr Machel Waikenda.
The notice cited sections 44(3)(a), 45(5) and 64 of the County Governments Act, 2012, as the legal basis for the changes, which took effect immediately.
Zipporah Njeri Mwangi was assigned acting responsibility for Public Participation, Citizen Engagement and Customer Service while retaining her substantive role as Chief Officer for City Culture, Arts and Tourism.
Eng. Samwel Njogu was designated Acting Chief Officer for Mobility, while Godfrey Akumali retained the Housing and Urban Renewal docket and additionally assumed responsibility for Lands in an acting capacity.
The notice did not explain the reasons for Mosiria’s removal or indicate whether he had been assigned another role within the county administration.
Mosiria said he had endured repeated transfers, public criticism and internal frustrations while attempting to remain in public service.
He recounted being moved to the Environment docket, where he claimed his director reported directly to the governor, leaving him with little meaningful work.
“Instead of sitting idle in the office, I chose to go to the streets and lead operations meant to be handled by junior officers,” he said, maintaining that he wanted to continue serving Nairobi residents.
He said his last meeting with Sakaja was on December 28, 2023, at the governor’s private office in Riverside, adding that subsequent attempts to discuss his grievances had gone unanswered.
Political ambitions cast shadow over exit
Mosiria’s departure comes days after he declared his intention to challenge Sakaja for the Nairobi governorship in the 2027 General Election.
During a public appearance on October 11, Mosiria presented himself as a candidate capable of addressing the capital’s challenges, using the slogan “Mr Fix-it” to promote his ambitions.
His removal has raised questions about the timing of the reshuffle, although the county’s official notice did not link the decision to his political plans.
Mosiria said he remained determined to pursue his ambitions, insisting that his interest in leadership was driven by a desire to improve public service rather than engage in personal disputes.
“My desire has never been to fight anyone; it has always been to fix the systems and serve the people of Nairobi,” he said.
He also alleged that he had received information about a possible court case intended to have him jailed, but provided no publicly verifiable evidence to substantiate the claim.
“I hope Nairobi people know who belongs to jail and who should serve them,” he wrote.
The latest developments add to the political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 elections, as Sakaja faces the prospect of challenges from several aspirants seeking to take over City Hall.
Neither the reshuffle notice nor the information available in the county announcement provided a response to Mosiria’s allegations concerning procurement, budget allocations and his treatment within the administration.
