Face the residents, leaders tell Sakaja after moving to podcast

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja during the launch of the 'let's talk' podcast on September 3, 2026.[File]

The latest move by Nairobi governor Johnson Sakaja to launch a podcast so as to speak to the electorates in Nairobi on matters development has elicited mixed reactions among the city residents.

Some elected leaders in Nairobi have also observed that the move portrays that the city could be wide for a governor or his  past attempts to reach city residents may have backfired.

When he came into office, governor Sakaja set up a suggestion box at City Hall that required residents with complaints or complaints to walk all the way to the city centre to drop their messages.

However, Sakaja describes the podcast as a modern-day digital baraza, saying it would provide an avenue for direct conversations with Nairobians on development, service delivery and issues affecting their daily lives.

“Kitambo, the Chief used to call people for a baraza. I want to do a digital baraza. Welcome to Discussion with Nairobi—on issues affecting you, development, everything. Welcome to the baraza,” Sakaja said.

The Governor used the first episode to reflect on his experience in office, highlighting both the rewards and frustrations of leading Kenya’s capital.

He acknowledged that one of the biggest challenges was being misunderstood, as residents often expected government projects and services to be delivered instantly.

“The worst is being misunderstood, and people wanting things done and everything quickly done. However, it is the best job,” Sakaja said.

Former Town Clerk Philip Kisia who steered Nairobi towards the invention of devolution said the move to reach Nairobi residents through podcasts is a welcome idea, but taking action from the interaction with residents are two different worlds.

"I'm hoping that he has the necessary infrastructure in place that will support the deliberations that come out of those interactions, because otherwise he will even create a bigger gap," Kisia observed

Adding, "when residents bring the things to you directly, and then you either act on them in a speed or in a fashion that is not acceptable to the residents, then the backlash will even be more severe,"

Kisia also weighed in on Sakaja's four years in office noting that the best way to deliver for the city residents is to pick one project and ensure it is fully done instead of focusing on several projects.

"I'm only now talking as a resident and I wish he had picked on one flagship project, I think he had his fingers all over, he has his fingers all over, so you can't really see the impact, but if he had just focused on one idea that you can say, this is Sarkaria's flagship project, just one," Kisia added

Kisia noted that while other issues ought to be neglected, but focus should be one, so that people say, he did nothing'

The former town clerk says by the time he was leaving office he had done a master plan with JICA and a strategic plan on how to deliver the solid waste management program for Nairobi.

 "Maybe that is one that he should have picked up from day one and run with, because by now, would have been having an integrated approach towards solid waste management," says Kisia

David Mberia who commented after Sakaja's first podcast on Wednesday commented "You don't pay suppliers and contractors Boss. These guys are dying of depression and others have been auctioned for doing genuine works with the County government,"

Embakasi Central Member of Parliament Benjamin Gathiru, Major Donk observed that launching a podcast might not help since elections are around the corner.

"He had four years to deliver to the people of Nairobi but he delivered zero, 11months to go he has just woken up and realized there are promises that needs to be delivered Feedback has already been delivered by the Nairobians, they need a genuine, honest leader," he stated

Woodley/Kenyatta Member of County Assembly Davidson Ngibuini says Sakaja's shift to Podcast comes too late claiming that the people of Nairobi are disgruntled and some of them are unhappy.

Ngibuini says some of the challenges that dogs Nairobi include poorly lit estates, late payment of salaries and in worst cases county vehicles operating without fuel and without insurance.

"It's too late for the governor, because Nairobians are tired of the lack of services. So, the podcast cannot help him. Nairobians have already decided who they are going to elect in the next election," Ngibuini observers

"We wish him well and I hope it will work but he has to complement it with face-to-face meeting with Nairobi people," Nairobi County Assembly Minority Leader Anthony Kiragu said

"Initially, the governor had a suggestion box known as 'talk to the governor' that he was the only one who could open it, but I think he wants to incorporate the technology," Kiragu added