The gubernatorial race in Nairobi County is set to be one of the most bruising battles across the country when Kenyans go to the polls on August 9 to elect new leaders.
Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja and former Deputy governor Polycarp Igathe have emerged as the front runners in the race that has attracted four candidates.
But what really sets apart Sakaja and Igathe? Kenyans.co.ke examines the two leaders’ profiles and reviews their qualifications and experience.
Corporate Executive
The Jubilee Party candidate and former deputy governor, Polycarp Igathe has a well-decorated and enviable career profile having held a chain of high ranking positions. Igathe holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Sociology from the University of Nairobi.
His work experience dates back to 2003 when he worked for Tiger brands, a South African company that deals in packaged goods . He rose through the ranks, working in various positions including being the company’s Eastern Africa Managing Director.
He helped Tiger Brands in different capacities until 2013 when he departed the company. Igathe was appointed the first Managing Director at Vivo Energy.
The company deals in petroleum products and is a licensee of Shell in Africa.
In 2017, Igathe was picked by Mike Sonko as his running mate in the Nairobi gubernatorial elections. The two won the race, beating the incumbent Evans Kidero.
However, his tenure as governor Sonko’s deputy was short lived. Igathe resigned, with only four months into their term in January 2018.
He would later be appointed as Equity Bank’s Chief Commercial Officer in May 2018. Igathe later had another stint with Vivo Energy, this time as the Executive Vice President Sales & Marketing.
Sakaja's Meteoric rise
On Sakaja’s part, his academic journey has been characterized by controversy and confusion. He was a student at the University of Nairobi where studied actuarial science. However, Sakaja admits that he did not graduate citing lack of school fees.
The Nairobi Senator also insists that he has a degree from Team University, from Uganda. While the Commission for University Education - CUE has revoked the degree, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission - IEBC has upheld its decision to clear the Senator.
About his career, Sakaja was thrust into national politics during the 2007 general elections when he was involved in former President Mwai Kibaki’s campaigns under the “Vijana na Kibaki”, a youth league campaigning for the late president.
Sakaja was later appointed as the Chairman of The National Alliance, TNA, a party that propelled President Uhuru Kenyatta to power in 2013. He would later be nominated as Member of Parliament in the 11th Parliament.
In 2017, Sakaja ventured into elective politics where he successfully ran for Nairobi Senate seat on a Jubilee Party ticket. He also served as the Chairperson of the Committee on Labor and Social Welfare.
