Kenya’s ruling party, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has been implored to tender an apology to Nairobians for endorsing a gubernatorial candidate whose competence was open to doubt.
Education analyst Janet Ouko on Monday argued that Nairobi’s management has been lamentable under Governor Johnson Sakaja’s rule, noting that it has attracted questions on his proficiency.
She also pointed out that Sakaja, despite having doubtful academic qualifications, was still granted a green light by the UDA party to contest and city dwellers are now bearing the brunt of that decision.
“It is in the public domain that the Governor of Nairobi had issues with the academic certificates. The role of that administration is clearing people to come out and apologise to Nairobians,” said Ouko speaking to Citizen TV on Monday.
“We are expecting UDA to take responsibility for the kind of leadership they have ensured sits at City Hall. If they feel that this governor is not articulating the UDA manifesto as it’s supposed to be done then there is something we expect them to do.”
Speaking in the same show Mathare MP Antony Oluoch noted that the county development plans need an overhaul to allow an applicable approach in effectively rendering services to Nairobians.
He added that Nairobi County collects a revenue of about Ksh.15 billion which he believes will tame the malady of governance if pensively appropriated.
“It would be foolhardy for us to concentrate on a discussion about governance and personality issues while we have counties with Ksh.2/3 billion and they are making alot of changes in the lives of people on healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure,” he said.
This lies on the backdrop of the city experiencing a paralysed service delivery and poor infrastructures as recently most parts of the city have been submerged for days following heavy rains.
An uproar from citizens and some Members of Parliament have also been witnessed as many have questioned why there are widespread sewerage problems, garbage mountains in residential areas, water shortages amidst flooding, and poorly planned high-rise constructions
On March 19, a section of Nairobi County leaders slammed Sakaja accusing his administration of being the “most incompetent and morally degenerate” county government.
Led by Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie, the leaders accused Sakaja’s administration of contributing to Nairobi County’s deteriorating state.
“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,” said Kiarie.
“Nairobi is becoming clamped in an ever-tightening chokehold of an arrogant and dangerously corrupt leadership.”
Sakaja’s academic qualification was taken to court in the run-up to the 2022 General Election on accusations that his certificates were fake.
The High Court however ruled that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) had no error in clearing Sakaja to vie for the gubernatorial seat, dismissing the complaint based on lack of proof.
Sakaja had submitted a Bachelor of Science in Management (External) degree from Uganda’s Team University which was revoked by the Commission for University Education (CUE).
During investigations, CUE noted that Team University is only accredited to offer a Bachelor of Science in Management and not a Bachelor of Science in Management (External); which are two separate courses.
CUE added that the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) in Uganda indicated that Team University had confirmed that Sakaja had enrolled for a Bachelor of Science in Management and not a Bachelor of Science in Management (External).
