Pressure has been mounting on Johnson Sakaja following the devastating floods that recently swept through Nairobi. However, the city leader has now made it clear that stepping down is not an option.
Speaking after the disaster that followed days of intense rainfall, Sakaja firmly rejected calls for his resignation. The floods left several people dead and caused widespread destruction across different parts of the city, prompting residents to question the preparedness of the Nairobi City County Government.
Critics argued that poor drainage systems and inadequate urban planning contributed to the severity of the flooding. Many residents expressed frustration, claiming that the county government had not done enough to prevent recurring flood disasters.
Despite the backlash, Sakaja maintained that his administration is actively working to address Nairobi’s long-standing infrastructure challenges.
“I am not resigning. I am working,” the governor said, emphasizing that his focus remains on solving the city’s problems despite limited resources.
According to Sakaja, one of the biggest obstacles facing his administration is the heavy financial burden inherited from previous governments. He revealed that the county is still paying off old debts and completing stalled projects dating back to earlier administrations.
Some of these unfinished initiatives, he noted, have been pending since 2014, and must be addressed before the county can fully implement its own development agenda.
Sakaja also explained that many of the county’s ongoing projects rely heavily on locally generated revenue. Funds collected from parking fees, land rates, and other county services are currently being used to finance development initiatives.
However, he said the Government of Kenya’s equitable share allocation to counties mainly covers salaries for county employees. This leaves limited funding available for operational costs such as maintaining infrastructure, purchasing equipment, or expanding drainage systems.
Because of these financial constraints, several projects aimed at improving the city’s drainage and flood control infrastructure are progressing more slowly than expected.
Even so, the governor insists that his administration understands Nairobi’s most urgent needs. These include expanding drainage networks, building new markets, improving schools, and developing sports facilities.
While residents continue to demand faster action, Sakaja says meaningful change will depend on securing sufficient resources to tackle the city’s long-standing development challenges.
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