Sakaja, Igathe face off at the Nairobi debate

Johnson Sakaja and Polycarp during the Nairobi gubernatorial debate at CUEA on July 11, 2022. [Denish Ochieng, Standard]

Nairobi governorship candidates Johnson Sakaja and Polycarp Igathe fired cheap shots at each other over academic qualifications and political resilience during the debate last night.

The two took on each other during the second tier of the debate as each tried to explain why they should be trusted to lead the country’s commercial capital.

The first tier of the debate, held at the Catholic University of East Africa, involved candidates whose popularity in opinion polls is below five per cent and took place between 6pm and 7.30pm.

The Sakaja-Igathe debate kicked off at exactly 8pm and ended at 9.30pm.

The show however started without Mr Sakaja, who arrived 20 minutes late.

The candidates were expected to explain how they will tackle corruption, housing, garbage collection and cleanliness challenges.

They were also to explain how they will handle the relationship between the national government and the county especially because of the existence of the Nairobi Metropolitan service. Other issues were infrastructure, unemployment and water.

When put to task by the moderators on why he was late, Sakaja said: “My opponent is so used to a head start. I was actually around the complex.”

But in a quick rejoinder, Igathe said Sakaja was late because of a traffic jam.

“I know he is late due to traffic. He shouldn’t worry, I will sort out the traffic when I become governor,” he said.

On integrity, the two candidates agreed that Nairobi should be led by a person who is beyond reproach.

Igathe took advantage of the topic to question Sakaja’s academic qualifications.

The Commission of University Education (CUE) revoked its recognition for Sakaja’s degree from Team University Uganda.

Sakaja has in turn filed a case seeking to block the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) from locking him out of the ballot.

In the suit, the Nairobi Senator said the CUE was hell-bent on interfering with the election, and that the challenge of the validity of his academic qualifications was calculated to subject him to public humiliation and embarrassment.

But yesterday, Igathe said: “Look at the degree. We do not even know who you are, is your name Sakaja? And you here talking about integrity.”

He then went on to point out that “issuing a fake document will take you straight to jail”.

“We want a transparent governor and one that can be trusted,” he said.

But Sakaja defended himself saying he has a BSC in management studies from Team University in Uganda.

“That’s the reason I’m here, that’s the reason I have been gazetted,” he said. 

“I do have all the qualifications and not just that. I have the competence, the character, I have the will and the experience to lead this county of Nairobi. It’s my detractors trying hard to prove that I don’t have one.”

Mr Igathe’s resignation as deputy governor when Mike Sonko was Nairobi governor came back to haunt him, with Mr Sakaja using it to paint Mr Igathe as a leader who lacks resilience and hence not fit to lead the city.

Mr Sakaja argued that the county needs a leader with tough skin, someone who will not walk out when things get tough. 

“In his manifesto, he actually needs to remind Kenyans that he will not walk out on them. Nairobi county needs a political manager. If what I am going through right now had happened to Igathe you can be sure that Azimio wouldn’t have a candidate by now. Let's be real.” Sakaja said.

Igathe quit as Nairobi deputy governor after less than a year in office saying he had failed to earn Sonko’s trust. But a miffed Sonko would later deny having a strained relationship with his deputy by publishing a series of private messages between him and Igathe. 

Last night, Sakaja tormented Igathe saying if his resignation was evidence enough that the Jubilee man is not fit for leadership.

“This is not corporate. You must take the bull by the horns and give practical solutions. If Polycarp Igathe did not quit as Nairobi Deputy Governor, there would be no NMS in Nairobi,” the Nairobi lawmaker said.

The two however vowed to fight corruption and ensure there is massive development.

The first tier debate kicked off at 5.30pm and saw four candidates appear before the panel, with each arguing that they will abolish NMS should they clinch power in what they said is handing the county the roles it deserves as per the constitution.

Former journalist Denis Kodhe of the Liberal Democratic Party declined to participate in the debate citing discrimination against the candidates based on their popularity.

“I strongly feel uncomfortable to participate in a debate forum that is conducted in tiers and that categorises candidates according to what is purported strength from uninformed findings in the name of opinion polls,” he said in a letter to organisers.

Nine candidates have been gazetted by IEBC to run for the Nairobi governor seat at the August 9 polls.

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