Nairobi senator and Kenya Kwanza Alliance gubernatorial hopeful Johnson Sakaja’s woes have deepened as The University of Nairobi (UoN) has disowned him at the last minute.
According to the statement issued by The University of Nairobi, Communication Director, John Orindi, on Sunday, Sakaja was admitted to the institution in 2003 for a Bachelor in Actuarial Science but never completed his studies.
UoN communications director John Orindi said he was admitted to the university on a module two programme in 2003.
The controversy revolving around Sakaja’s academic credentials erupted after it was leaked that he presented a degree to Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) from Team University in Uganda for clearance for the gubernatorial race.
Sakaja had claimed for the umpteenth time that he graduated from the University of Nairobi in 2007 and even acquired his first car (Mercedes Benz) when he was in his fourth year at the aforesaid institution.
“It is true Sakaja was admitted to the university and was pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science, studied from the first year up to the fourth year, but is yet to graduate,” said Mr Orindi.
However, a petitioner, Wahome, has petitioned with Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) disputes Resolution Committee to challenge Sakaja’s clearance to vie for the county seat citing that his name is not in the Team University booklet of 2017 graduands as indicated on the degree.
“The respondent has demonstrated fraud and forgeries that have the potential to erode the public confidence in and diminish the integrity of qualifications in Uganda and Kenyan degrees both regionally as well as globally,” said Mr Wahome.
The Elections Act demands that a person “nominated as a candidate for election as president, deputy president, county governor or deputy county governor must be a holder of a degree from a university recognised in Kenya.”
If Sakaja will be kicked out of the race, then the city battle will be between Independent Candidate Agnes Kagure and Azimio – One Kenya candidate Polycarp Igathe.
