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Let Sakaja work, managing Nairobi is not easy– Aladwa to critics

"Allow him to do his work... He is an elected leader, respect him."

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by Tabnacha Odeny

News28 April 2024 - 15:44
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In Summary


  • Recalling his time as the city's mayor from 2011 to 2013, Aladwa said holding such an office is not an easy task.
  • "Let Sakaja be given his chance. It has only been one and half years and they are now pushing him around," he said.
Makadara MP George Aladwa during a past event.

Makadara MP George Aladwa has told critics to let Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja do his work and manage the city county as he is meant to.

Illustrating the hierarchy of service, he said just as Kenya's top leadership rests with President William Ruto, Nairobi is Sakaja's.

Aladwa added that the Governor did not apply to be from a certain tribe so as to secure Nairobi's gubernatorial seat.

"Sakaja alichanguliwa kama gavana wa Nairobi mchana, akatangazwa mchana na akaapishwa mchana. Apewe nafasi yake ya kufanya kazi... Yeye amechanguliwa apewe heshima zake," he said.

This is loosely translated to, "Sakaja was voted in as Nairobi Governor during the day, was announced as such during the day and sworn-in in daytime. Allow him to do his work... He is elected, respect him."

Speaking on Sunday during Central Organisation of Trade Unions Thanksgiving at St Stephen ACK Church, Jogoo Road, he urged the leaders present and the entirety of Nairobi residents to support the Governor.

Recalling his time as the city's mayor from 2011 to 2013, Aladwa said holding such an office is not an easy task.

"Let Sakaja be given his chance. It has only been one and half years and they are now pushing him around," he said.

He said people should wait for 2027 to evaluate the Governor's work and progress.

Aladwa also told those blaming Sakaja for the ongoing floods to back off, noting that it is a disaster affecting the entire country.

He urged COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli to help the Governor to achieve his constitutional mandate.

This comes at a time when there is a lot of criticism over the way Nairobi County is being managed.

Barely two weeks ago, all four UDA elected MPs alongside a host of MCAs accused Sakaja of mismanaging the city.

In a press brief on April 19, the legislators led by Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie claimed that the city could be heading in the wrong direction.

He said the dream sold during campaigns, of a city of order and dignity, hope and opportunity for all, is slowly fading away for city residents.

"Nairobi City is drowning in the murky lakes of free-flowing sewerage, estates buried in mountains of garbage, taps whistling tunes of dryness, as storm waters flood homes and businesses," Kiarie said in the joint statement.

"The skies above the city skyline are punctured by precariously unplanned, haphazardly constructed towers that know no limit."

Kiarie's opinions were shared by James Gakuya (Embakasi North), Augustine Kamande (Roysambu) and Benjamin Gathiru (Embakasi Central).

In response, Sakaja said the MPs are playing petty politics adding that he still respects them.

He said that the most important thing is to figure out a way of working together with these leaders.

"It is normal. At times you have to find a way to understand each other because they were elected by the people and I respect them a lot. I was also elected by the people, I have my job as governor, they have their jobs as MPs and MCAs," he said.

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