I was Offered Sh1 Billion to Drop My Bid for Nairobi Governor, Senator Sakaja Claims

Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja claims that he was offered Sh1 billion to drop his bid for the county gubernatorial seat in the August 9th general elections.

Sakaja, who is eyeing the seat on a UDA party ticket, alleged that he was approached by a high-ranking government official, who wanted him to feign sickness and shelve his bid for Nairobi governor. 

The senator did not disclose the identity of the said emissary whom he linked to State House, but he turned down the offer.

"Kuna mtu alitumwa kwangu kutoka State House akaambiwa aniambie kuna hela flani nitapatiwa niachane na hicho kiti ati niseme nimekuwa mgonjwa. Ilikuwa one billion na nikasema hapana," Sakaja said during an interview on Radio Jambo.

The first-time senator further alleged that he was threatened with arrest and prosecution after he declined to step down from the race, adding that his desire to serve Nairobi residents remains unwavering.

"Nilisema sitajiuzulu na wakajaribu kunitisha ati watanishika. Watanishika kwa nini? he posed.

A recent opinion poll by Infotrak placed Sakaja as the most preferred candidate for Nairobi Governor with a popularity rating of 39 percent ahead of his main challenger Polycarp Igathe of Jubilee Party, who came in second at 33 percent.

Sakaja is facing allegations of using a fake degree from Team University in Uganda to be cleared to vie for the Nairobi governorship.

The senator was cleared to vie for the seat on June 19th after a petition filed by Dennis Wahome was dismissed by the tribunal, which ruled that it lacks the jurisdiction to investigate and ascertain the validity of Sakaja’s degree.

Wahome, who was dissatisfied with the tribunal’s decision, went to the High Court arguing that Sakaja has no academic qualifications to vie as Nairobi’s governor.

Last week, the University Education (CUE) officially revoked the recognition of Sakaja’s degree from the Kampala-based university following the completion of investigations into its authenticity.

CUE said Sakaja disregarded, refused, and or ignored requests to provide information and the opportunity to exercise his right to be heard during the investigations.