Sakaja Responds to Viral Video of Traders Turning Archives Into Open Market

Photo collage of a screengrab showing National Archives invaded by hawkers and a photo shared by Governor Johnson Sakaja on Saturday March 18, 2023
Photo collage of a screengrab showing National Archives invaded by hawkers and a photo shared by Governor Johnson Sakaja on Saturday March 18, 2023.
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Pauline Njoroge/ Governor Sakaja

Nairobi governor, Johnson Sakaja, on Saturday, March 18, defended his administration, denying claims that hawkers had invaded Central Business District, turning National Archives into an open-air market

In a statement, Sakaja clarified that the video shared widely on social media attracting over 15,000 views, was an old clip.

Further, the third City boss indicated that the confusion in that video did not reflect the city's current state.

Defending his sentiments, the former Nairobi Senator shared photos taken on Saturday, March 18, showing orderliness around National Archives.

Residents walking past Nairobi National Archives on Saturday March 18, 2023
Residents walking past Nairobi National Archives on Saturday, March 18, 2023.
Twitter
Johnson Sakaja

"That video is from such a long time ago. This is archives this evening," Sakaja insisted.

Sakaja was compelled to respond after an aggrieved social media user accused the governor of caving into Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's demands.

"The state of our capital is a reflection of the state of the UDA administration! Looks like Sakaja gave in to Gachagua’s pressure," the caption of the widely shared video read.

Following his response, a section of city residents praised the governor for setting the record straight and taming misinformation online.

"Thanks governor propagandists are countered with evidence direct from source from boss himself," one social media user stated.

"Confirm first before posting. Stop always wanting to paint our governor negatively, please. He's doing a great job," another one posted.

On Wednesday, February 22, Sakaja unveiled plans to transfer the hawkers from Nairobi CBD to restore order.

Sakaja revealed that all the informal traders will be relocated to backstreets outside Nairobi CBD.

"Nairobi City County Government has initiated the process of relocating informal traders operating within the Central Business District to the backstreet lanes," the report read in part.

Among areas earmarked for hawkers included lanes in Dubois, Sotik, Turkana, Posta, and Kirinyaga lane.

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja appearing before Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) on Monday February 27, 2023
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja appearing before Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) on Monday, February 27, 2023.
Photo/Parliament Kenya