Why Sakaja Rejected Ksh500 Million Nairobi Mansion 

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja (left) and President William Ruto during the ground breaking of the Soweto B Estate in Kibra on October 25, 2022.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja (left) and President William Ruto during the groundbreaking of the Soweto B Estate in Kibra on October 25, 2022.
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William Ruto

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja on Tuesday, October 25, revealed a plan by the Nairobi County government to commit Ksh500 million to the construction of his official residence.

Speaking during the groundbreaking of the Soweto Estate in Kibera, Sakaja directed the Members of County Assembly (MCAs) to reallocate the money to other projects that would be of the essence to the larger community. 

The Nairobi county chief argued that he already had a decent place to live and hence was not in need of one.

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja during a meeting with the Nairobi chapter of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Thursday, September 22, 2022
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja during a meeting with the Nairobi chapter of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Thursday, September 22, 2022
Governor Johnson Sakaja

“I have just seen a budget which is allocating Ksh500 million for the construction of governors’ and deputy governors’ houses. I have asked them to reallocate the money to other priority projects like the construction of markets and creating jobs for our young people,” the governor stated. 

He further underscored the need to prioritize the general public while allocating resources to various projects. 

"I told them to scrap that budget and instead focus on constructing markets, to offer the people of Nairobi decent places for working. 

Our focus is on the ordinary mwananchi, we first look at their plight then the rest will follow," he added. 

The construction of official residences for the governor and his deputy was part of the County Annual Development Plan (CADP) which was conceived to streamline the operations of Nairobi County Government in providing services. 

The plan was aimed at addressing pressing challenges in Kenya's capital including housing, traffic congestion, poverty and ageing infrastructure. 

In addition, the plan was also aimed at addressing challenges in the governor's office ranging from sanitation to inadequate office spaces- among others.

Further, the plan sought to address the poor mobility of members of the staff in the office of the governor due to lack of enough well-maintained vehicles. 

Notably, the county government has been grappling with debts and pending bills accumulating to over Ksh19 billion.  

The office of Nairobi Governor at City Hall, Nairobi on Tuesday, July 28, 2020
The office of Nairobi Governor at City Hall, Nairobi on Tuesday, July 28, 2020
The Standard