SAKAJA SUES ALINUR OVER GOONS ALLEGATION IN OJWANG PROTEST CHAOS

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has filed a defamation lawsuit against ODM politician Mohamed Alinur following a social media post linking the county boss to the violent disruptions witnessed during the June 12 protests in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD).

In a statement released on Monday, June 16, Alinur shared a demand letter from Sakaja’s legal team, accusing him of publishing a falsified and defamatory post on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account. The post included a screenshot allegedly depicting a WhatsApp group chat where Sakaja was shown under the name “Gov. Sakaja 0721326070,” purportedly discussing plans to send “goons” to infiltrate the protests.

“Sakaja has sued me for defamation over a screenshot,” Alinur stated. “I will gladly keep him busy in court with my lawyers.”

The law firm representing Sakaja, Walimo and Njoroge Advocates, claimed Alinur’s post was intentionally designed to damage the governor’s reputation. “On or about June 13, 2025, at 10:28 PM, you willfully and maliciously published or caused to be published on your verified X account a defamatory and falsified post,” the legal letter read.

The screenshot, which has since circulated widely online, was accompanied by a caption that read:
“Nairobi Governor Sakaja saying his plans to send goons yesterday to discredit maandamano worked well as he had planned. He is the orchestrator of yesterday’s chaos.”

Sakaja’s legal team argues that the post paints the governor as a dishonest, manipulative leader who uses criminal means to disrupt public order. They claim it falsely suggests Sakaja masterminded the chaos that broke out during the protests calling for justice for Albert Ojwang—a popular social media influencer and teacher who allegedly died in police custody.

During the protests, what began as a peaceful demonstration escalated into violence. Two vehicles were set ablaze near Aga Khan Walk, businesses were vandalized, and police responded with tear gas and water cannons. Several business owners were forced to close shop amid the turmoil.

Amid growing speculation that Nairobi County officials were behind the chaos, a suspicious screenshot of a WhatsApp group chat surfaced, alleging that payments were being arranged for goons. Nairobi County Chief Officer for Environment Geoffrey Mosiria dismissed the claims, terming the screenshot as fake and misleading.

Sakaja’s lawyers are demanding that Alinur immediately pull down the post and issue a public apology. Failure to comply, they warned, will prompt further legal action.