Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja’s administration is drowning in corruption scandals, with the ‘Dishi na County’ program now at the center of financial mismanagement. The initiative, which was launched to provide meals to schoolchildren, has become a symbol of greed and incompetence. Workers under the program recently staged protests in the Nairobi CBD, demanding their unpaid salaries.
At the same time, reports have emerged that Ksh145.7 million meant for the feeding program remains unaccounted for. The funds, donated by the French Embassy, were allegedly channeled into a private account linked to Food for Education, an NGO working with the county.
This has raised suspicions of irregularities and kickbacks benefiting powerful individuals within City Hall. The program, which was meant to be a lifeline for children, is now a source of misery for both students and workers.
As the scandal surrounding ‘Dishi na County’ deepens, Sakaja’s administration is facing further accusations of corruption and financial mismanagement at City Hall. In July 2023, the Tunza Mtoto Coalition criticized the governor over alleged fraudulent payments for services that were never delivered.
The coalition pointed out that millions of shillings had been disbursed without proper documentation, worsening the financial struggles of Nairobi residents.
They called on the governor to uphold transparency and accountability, demanding that he explain how taxpayer money was being misused. However, instead of addressing these concerns, Sakaja’s government has remained silent, raising further doubts about his commitment to clean leadership.
The corruption in his administration runs even deeper. In January 2024, Sakaja himself wrote to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), calling for investigations into bribery at City Hall.
Reports indicated that job seekers were being forced to pay bribes to secure employment in county offices. While Sakaja tried to distance himself from these claims, many saw this as a political move to cover up the rot within his administration.
If he was truly serious about fighting corruption, why has he allowed these irregularities to persist under his watch.
In May 2024, the EACC raided City Hall, uncovering more evidence of corruption. Senior county officials, including Fredrick Ochanda from the Nairobi City County Planning and Development Approval Department, were arrested for facilitating fraudulent deals.
Another suspect, Tom Achar, managed to escape and is still on the run. These revelations exposed how deeply corruption is entrenched in Sakaja’s government.
City Hall has become a playground for looters, while essential services like garbage collection, healthcare, and school feeding continue to deteriorate due to financial mismanagement.
Sakaja’s troubles don’t end there. His leadership has also been accused of unfairly targeting certain business communities in Nairobi. Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and politicians from Mount Kenya counties claimed that the governor has been using his office to frustrate Kikuyu businesspeople, particularly in the matatu industry and street vending sector.
On the other hand, politicians from Western Kenya, allied with Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, have rushed to defend Sakaja, highlighting the political power struggles within the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party. Instead of focusing on governance, Sakaja’s administration has become a battlefield for political interests, leaving Nairobi residents to suffer.
The situation has escalated to the point where civil society groups are now threatening mass protests unless Sakaja suspends top finance officers linked to fraudulent payments. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has already launched a probe into payments made to nine ghost companies.
While Sakaja may try to portray himself as a clean leader, the evidence suggests otherwise. His government is riddled with scandals, from the mismanagement of ‘Dishi na County’ to the unchecked looting at City Hall.
When Sakaja was sworn in as Nairobi Governor on August 25, 2022, he promised to deliver a better city for its residents. However, nearly two years later, his administration is collapsing under the weight of corruption. Instead of fulfilling his promises, his government has become a haven for thieves and opportunists who exploit public funds for personal gain. Nairobians, who had placed their hopes in him, are now left watching as their city crumbles due to greed, incompetence, and failed leadership.
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