Sakaja Removes Mosiria After Launching His 2027 Gubernatorial Bid

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has removed Geoffrey Mosiria from his chief officer position days after he announced plans to challenge him in 2027. The county government also reassigned two other senior officers in a reshuffle that took effect immediately.

A circular dated Wednesday, October 21, 2026, named Zipporah Njeri Acting Chief Officer for Public Participation and Citizen Engagement. Samwel Njogu was assigned as Acting Chief Officer for Mobility, while Godfrey Akumali took charge of Housing and Urban Renewal.

Akumali was also designated Acting Chief Officer for Lands, giving him responsibility for the additional department. County Secretary and Head of County Public Service Machel Waikenda announced the changes, citing relevant provisions of the County Governments Act, 2012.

The notice stated that the appointments and reassignments had received approval from the governor. However, it did not explicitly link Mosiria’s removal to his political declaration.

Mosiria Declared Interest in Nairobi Governorship

Mosiria announced his intention to contest the Nairobi gubernatorial seat on October 11, 2026. He said his experience working in different county departments had prepared him to lead the capital for five years.

During the declaration, Mosiria proposed former Starehe MP Margaret Wanjiru as his potential running mate. It remained unclear whether Wanjiru had accepted the proposal.

His announcement set up a potential contest against Sakaja, who currently leads Nairobi County. The political development has attracted attention amid growing preparations for the 2027 General Election.

Tensions Between Mosiria and Sakaja

Mosiria has recently become increasingly critical of the Sakaja administration, raising concerns about service delivery and county management. He has also accused the governor of sidelining him following disagreements over public funds and service delivery, although those claims have not been independently established.

On Wednesday, Mosiria vowed to expose alleged wrongdoing at City Hall. He further claimed that individuals were attempting to intimidate him and stop him from speaking publicly.

The allegations add to questions surrounding his relationship with the county leadership. However, no independent evidence was provided to establish the alleged intimidation or wrongdoing.

Mosiria’s Previous County Responsibilities

Before taking charge of citizen engagement and customer service, Mosiria headed Nairobi’s environment docket. He became known for enforcement operations targeting illegal dumping, noise pollution and other environmental violations.

His experience across county departments featured prominently in his explanation for seeking the governor’s office. He argued that his work within the county administration had equipped him with knowledge of Nairobi’s challenges.

The latest reshuffle changes Mosiria’s position within the county administration as he pursues his political ambitions. The county has not publicly stated whether he will receive another assignment following the changes.