Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has sharply criticised Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja over the city’s persistent drainage issues, following yesterday’s heavy rains that left vehicles submerged in floodwaters.
Motorists and pedestrians in various parts of the capital were stranded as roads turned into rivers, sparking outrage among residents.
Nairobi Gov Johnson Sakaja. Photo: Sakaja Johnson Source: Facebook
Taking to social media, Babu Owino called out Sakaja for failing to address the drainage problem, which he termed a long-standing crisis that worsens with every downpour.
The vocal legislator accused the governor of neglecting flood mitigation measures, alleging that funds allocated for such projects had been misappropriated.
“Last year, wamadimples stole KSh 2.5 billion meant for flood mitigation,” Babu claimed, referring to the Nairobi administration.
He accused Sakaja of prioritising his image over service delivery, sarcastically quipping, “Mrembo is only concentrating on her beauty and keeping her figure. Ma filters Tibim.”
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino speaks during a past event
The hashtag #Wamafilters has since gone viral, with Nairobians expressing frustration over the perennial flooding and perceived inefficiency in the county government.
Governor Sakaja’s administration has previously promised to invest in drainage infrastructure to address flooding, but yesterday’s chaos suggests that little progress has been made.
Major roads, including Thika Road and Mombasa Road, were paralysed by the floods, causing significant disruptions to businesses and daily activities.
Residents are now calling for accountability and immediate action to prevent a repeat of the mess witnessed during the rains.
The Nairobi City County government is yet to respond to the MP’s claims or outline any immediate flood mitigation measures.
As the rainy season continues, all eyes remain on Governor Sakaja to provide sustainable solutions and restore confidence in his leadership amidst growing public outcry.
