‘I’m being trailed by police,’ Sakaja claims threats to his life over stand on revenue formula

Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja on Tuesday alluded to threats against his life over his strong opposition of the House Finance Committee’s proposed revenue sharing formula.

Senator Sakaja, speaking on the floor of the House after adjournment of the debate, alleged that he was being trailed by police officers in an attempt by powerful forces to intimidate him into changing his stance.

According to the legislator, the officers – whom he alleged were from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) – have been staking out his house and he could not even spend Monday night ahead of the seventh sitting there.

Sakaja claimed he had since sought the indulgence of IG Hillary Mutyambai on the matter but his concerns fell on deaf ears.

“On Friday I was being trailed by a police officers, DCI, vehicle KBZ 317W. I saw them and they left. I raised it with the Inspector General of Police and he did not respond,” he said.

“Yesterday (Monday) there were reports of my impending arrest so that I’m not here today (Tuesday)…I didn’t even stay at my own home, I was in the Senate buildings at 5.30am, I sat in my car in the basement until mid-day, that is not a laughing matter.”

The Senator also alleged that banners erected at different parts of the city in recent times labeling him a traitor over his stance were also part of the larger plan to silence him.

“…the objective was for me not to come to the House, now that I have come and I have voted, those who want to come and arrest me, please go ahead,” he added.

“You have seen the vitriol, you have seen the banners against me out there for me to change my position, I am not one to be intimidated…I will not be intimidated. I stand for one Kenya.”

He further addressed reports that his stand on the formula could lead to his expulsion from Jubilee as it goes against the one set by party leaders in the House, West Pokot Senator Samuel Poghisio (Majority Leader) and his Murang’a counterpart Irungu Kang’ata (Majority Chief Whip).

“I am persuading Senator Poghisio and Kangata, that a party position is not an individual’s position. A party position is when you call your members, you caucus, you discuss an issue, you agree to disagree, but the agreement that is reached is binding,” said Sakaja.

Senator Sakaja: On Friday I was being trailed by a police vehicle and I raised the matter with the IG of Police…I was in senate buildings today from 5AM…I will not be intimidated. A party position is not an individual’s position. Those threats mean nothing. I stand for Kenya pic.twitter.com/TM3q7mSyPU

— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) August 4, 2020

The Senate on Tuesday afternoon voted to adjourn the debate on the revenue sharing formula during their seventh sitting on the matter.

Elgeyo Marawet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, rising on a point of order, sought the adjournment to give room for further consultation.

The motion passed after it was supported by 34 Senators while 26 voted against it; one Senator was absent.

Senator Sakaja previously proposed an amendment to the Finance Committee’s formula seeking to use allocation to each county in the last financial year as a baseline for present and future share of the county share, and any increased resources be subject to a new formula.

He has hence been the subject of vilification for opposing a formula that would have allocated Nairobi and 27 counties more resources, while 19 counties would have had their share reduced.