Ledama defends Sakaja, says flooding in Nairobi is not unique
By Cynthia Lodite, March 10, 2026Narok Senator Ledama Olekina has defended the Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja following recent pressure for him to resign, following the deadly floods witnessed in the country’s capital.
Speaking during the Senate proceedings on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, the legislator condemned critics, saying that other African cities face flooding challenges like Nairobi, including Lagos in Nigeria.
“This is a problem that has been transferred from one administration to another, so it would be illogical to blame the current administration led by Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja for all the challenges of floods,” Ledama said.
According to the Narok Senator, the crisis witnessed in the city is linked to saturated soil as well as an encroachment of buildings within riparian lands in Nairobi.
“Nairobi County soils are scientifically saturated; when you look at urbanisation, everybody is moving to the city, the most logical thing is to look at what is the appropriate way of solving this problem for future generations,” Ledama added.
He went on explaining that the issue of floods in Nairobi is a shared responsibility between the National Government and the County Government.
“Flooding in Nairobi is not unique to Nairobi alone; other cities in Africa, like Lagos, are another big problem,” Ledama explained.
Sakaja pressured to resign
Meanwhile, Ledama’s counterpart, Boni Khalwale, further lectured the Nairobi County Government for failing to handle the capital’s drainage system despite receiving the highest funds allocation by the Senate.
Speaking during the Senate Proceedings on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, the legislator demanded the resignation of Nairobi’s governor, Johnson Sakaja.
According to Senator Khalwale, Nairobi County was allocated at least Ksh20.18 billion in the past year, which was supposed to fix Nairobi’s drainage menace.
“This house gives the highest allocation, last year we gave Ksh20.18 billion to Nairobi for them to fix our drainage systems. The constitution is very clear that waterways and roads are a county government responsibility,” Khalwale explained.
On his part, the Kakamega senator demanded that Sakaja should pack up and leave the office, paving the way for another leader for Nairobi County.
“If Sakaja does not know how to handle things, he should pack up and go,” Khalwale said.