Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja has downplayed Governor Mike Sonko’s claims that he is going hard on the county government because he wants to vie for the governorship in 2022.
” I have never declared anywhere that I want to be Nairobi governor. I am looking at issues objectively which is different from what you (Sonko) used to do when you were senator… I was given the mandate by 847,000 Nairobians and I will continue to exercise my mandate.”
Speaking during a meeting with the Senate’s Devolution Committee on Wednesday, Sonko said that Sakaja wanted to be the governor of Nairobi but he was playing his cards wrong.
But Sakaja said that Sonko has declared more than ones that he is not interested in being governor of Nairobi in 2022 and that were he to declare his interest in being governor, then there would be nothing wrong with it.
Sonko had appeared before the committee to answer some questions concerning the composition of the Nairobi County Executive, especially why he has not nominated a Deputy Governor.
The governor said that him operating without a deputy was a non issue and that no law compels him to appoint one.
“If Senator Sakaja was genuine, he could have summoned me…he is my friend and we campaigned together. I do not think there was any need of calling honourable senators to come deal with this non-issue.” The governor said.
The committee however dismissed Sonko, saying this was a serious matter because he needs a Deputy Governor to help him.
There was drama as the meeting was halted because Sonko had to rush to the washroom, citing his electrocution at JKIA as the reason.