Nairobi leaders condemn Governor Sakaja, claim his administration 'most incompetent'

A section of Nairobi County leaders have slammed Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja accusing his administration of being the "most incompetent and morally degenerate" county government.

In a strongly-worded statement, the leaders led by Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie accused Sakaja's administration of contributing to Nairobi County's deteriorating state.

They pointed out issues such as widespread sewerage problems, garbage mountains in residential areas, water shortages amidst flooding, and poorly planned high-rise constructions.

"It is our observation that Nairobi could be facing its worst leadership crisis at City Hall in the capital's history. The dream that was sold during the campaigns of a city of order, dignity, hope and opportunity has turned into a nightmare. Nairobi is becoming clamped in an ever-tightening chokehold of an arrogant and dangerously corrupt leadership," said Kiarie.

Citing a recent Auditor General report, Kiarie further accused Sakaja's administration of gross financial mismanagement, including payments to ghost workers and selective payment of bills for kickbacks.

"In a shocking revelation last year, a junior officer wielding authority directly granted by the Governor, clandestinely approved over 600 building plans against the Physical Land Planning Act which stipulates that the County Chief Officer is responsible for approving building plans," he said.

"That would explain the 'kiudutho' development and the unplanned highrise buildings that are mushrooming and cropping up in every corner of Nairobi. Such cases of abuse of power only give a preview of the rot house that is the Nairobi City County."

Kiarie further condemned the acquisition of luxury assets by top Nairobi County officials, describing it as a disregard for public welfare.

"Never before has Nairobi ever been pilfered so brazenly and with so much display of juvenile bravado, intimidation, exclusion and undermining of those who they are not able to pay with their looted billions," he said.  

"Pitting leaders against each other and sponsoring squabbles has become the expensive hobby of the Governor and his court of loyalists."

Additionally, Kiarie demanded a leadership change at City Hall, emphasizing the need for a clear vision and a well-thought-out master plan to guide policy decisions and development projects in the county.

"Nairobi deserves and is demanding for a leadership that has a plan. Nairobi deserves a leadership with a clear vision, a leadership that relies on a well thought through master plan as the cardinal guiding instrument that will be informing all policy decisions, legislative proposals, programmes and project decisions," said the MP.

He further urged the Senate, responsible for county oversight, to prioritize Nairobi and hold Governor Sakaja accountable for the capital's sorry state

"We want to call Governor Sakaja and his administration to order. We are also calling upon the relevant audit, oversight and investigative bodies to swiftly intervene and rescue Nairobi from the shackles of rampant mismanagement and incompetence," he said.

"The Senate which has the constitutional mandate of oversight over counties must process the  Nairobi situation with urgency. Governor Sakaja must account to the citizens through appearances before the Senate. He must be invited to make the record straight and he must honour the invites."