Johnson Sakaja was on Sunday, August 14, 2022, formerly declared the Nairobi Governor-elect.
Sakaja was announced the winner of the gubernatorial contest after garnering 699,392 votes against his main challenger Polycarp Igathe of Jubilee who had 573,51 votes.
Speaking at the Kasarani Stadium moments after he was handed his certificate, the UDA candidate assured Nairobi voters that they had made the right choice in picking him as their next governor.
“I want to thank Nairobians for believing in me…you are in safe hands,” said Sakaja who until his election was serving as Nairobi Senator.
Aside from thanking the voters, the governor-elect also recognized the role his party leader Deputy President William Ruto played in his win.
It was through DP Ruto’s intervention that saw Bishop Margaret Wanjiru drop out of the gubernatorial race in favour of Sakaja.
Bishop Wanjiru instead vied for the Senate seat – but he lost to Edwin Sifuna of ODM.
“I want to thank DP Ruto, Mudavadi (ANC party leader), and Gachagua for believing in me,” Sakaja said.
And with his win now assured, the new Nairobi County boss says he will not let down all that have believed in his leadership.
Sakaja’s journey to the governor
“Look forward to a new Nairobi. I will not let you down,” Sakaja said.
It has not been an easy sail for Sakaja, since he expressed interest in the county’s top job.
His candidature faced trying moments when he was accused of not having a valid degree – one of the requirements to be allowed to vie for the Governor’s seat.
However, Sakaja managed to fight through the accusations and secured a green light to be on the ballot.
But even before his win, the Nairobi Governor-elect says he has had sleepless nights for the last few days.
“It has not been an easy journey. I have had sleepless nights for the last five days,” he said.
Sakaja becomes the fourth governor of Nairobi. He takes over from Ann Kananu who was installed governor after the impeachment of the second governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko.
Nairobi’s pioneer governor was Evans Kidero who served for one term – between 2013 and 2017.
As of now, no one has served as governor of Nairobi for two terms – a record Sakaja will definitely hope to break – but that will be known in 2027 – for now, in Sakaja’s own words ‘let us make Nairobi work’.
