- Activist Maverick Aoko accuses MCA Robert Alai of demanding KSh 500,000 from a billboard businessman.
- Aoko shared audio and screenshots allegedly capturing the MCA pushing for payment.
- Alai dismissed the claims, saying he is only removing illegal billboards in Kileleshwa.
- Business owners and online critics accuse the MCA of exploiting county enforcement for personal gain.
- The case adds to Alai’s past controversies and renews calls for EACC and DCI investigations.
Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai is once again at the centre of a heated debate after activist Maverick Aoko accused him of extorting billboard owners in the area. Aoko published audio recordings and screenshots on social media, claiming Alai demanded KSh 500,000 from a businessman named Adan before allowing new billboard installations.
According to the audio shared online, a voice believed to be Alai allegedly presses the businessman for quick payment, creating what Aoko described as a climate of fear and intimidation.
Aoko, known for her bold commentary and human rights activism, said she took the matter public because the issue reflects deeper graft in Nairobi’s signage sector. She noted that businesspeople were increasingly vulnerable and operating under pressure from local leaders.
She hinted that Alai’s close ties to senior national figures might be shielding him from consequences. Her post gained huge traction, prompting questions about how county approvals are managed.
Moments after the allegations went viral, Alai hit back through his social media pages. He confirmed that four billboards had already been demolished overnight, claiming they were “illegal structures” erected without county approval.
He dismissed Aoko’s claims as deliberate smears and advised affected business owners to seek legal redress rather than rely on social media outrage.
Earlier this week, Alai had already criticised Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja’s administration, saying the city was becoming a “billboard jungle” that put residents’ safety at risk.
Kileleshwa has recently seen a sharp rise in billboard installations, raising questions about enforcement. While county laws restrict signage to specific commercial zones, reports suggest that approvals are often influenced by informal networks and gatekeepers.
Some business owners claim leaders exploit the loopholes, allegedly offering “help” in exchange for money. Others fear speaking publicly, saying they worry about retaliation.
One trader from the area said privately that unexpected visits, promises of assistance, and sudden “fees” had become common. Screenshots circulating online include M-Pesa transactions labelled as “consultancy fees”.
This is not Alai’s first major controversy. Previous incidents include the 2022 campaign jibes, a land dispute in Runda involving a KSh 150 million plot, and public spats with activists and political rivals.
Critics like Boniface Mwangi say the latest claims show a pattern of behaviour that should be investigated by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
With the allegations gaining momentum, several residents are considering raising the matter formally in county forums. Others are discussing whether to collectively challenge the MCA’s actions.
If the extortion claims are proven, the outcome could reshape Kileleshwa’s political landscape, possibly leading to legal or disciplinary action.
For now, the disputed billboards continue to dominate conversations, highlighting the broader struggle between regulation, business interests, and political power in Nairobi.
