Governor Johnson Sakaja on April 16 found himself embroiled in a scandal involving his close associates and a web of corruption linked to irregular building approvals in prime areas of the city.
The allegations, brought to light by prominent whistleblower Cyprian Nyakundi on X, point towards a scheme that has reportedly been lining the pockets of the governor and his associates with staggering sums of money.
According to Nyakundi’s post, former South C MCA Osman Khalif and Sakaja’s Chief of Staff David Njoroge are among the key players in this extortion web. The scheme allegedly involves pocketing millions of Kenyan Shillings for approving building projects in upscale areas like Parklands, Westlands, and Kilimani.
The whistleblower claims that Sakaja and his associates have been receiving sums ranging from 5 to 10 million Kenyan Shillings per floor for the buildings approved under this scheme.
Nairobi Gov Hon Johnson Sakaja during a past event
This revelation comes at a time when Governor Sakaja has been attempting to tackle corruption within the Nairobi City County government, making the allegations all the more damning.
The governor recently wrote to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to investigate alleged corruption in the Nairobi County employment process, as well as the ongoing investigations by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations over the alleged fraudulent payments to nine companies.
The scandal has sent shockwaves through the city, with residents and political observers alike expressing their outrage and disappointment. Many are now calling for a thorough investigation into the allegations and demanding accountability from Governor Sakaja and his administration. The situation has raised serious concerns about the integrity of Nairobi’s building approval process and the potential impact on the city’s development and infrastructure.
Former South C MCA Osman Khalif
As of now, there has been no official response from Governor Sakaja or his associates regarding the allegations. However, the revelations have already sparked widespread debate and speculation about the future of the city’s leadership and the potential consequences for those involved in the alleged corruption.
The scandal has also drawn attention to the broader issue of corruption in Kenya’s governance and the need for stronger measures to combat graft and promote transparency in public administration.
As the situation unfolds, all eyes are on Governor Sakaja and the EACC to see how they will address the allegations and restore public trust in the city’s governance.
