Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has reassured the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli that he remains unmoved by negative criticism directed his way.

Speaking during Labour Day celebrations at Uhuru Gardens in Lang’ata, Nairobi on Wednesday, May 1, Sakaja extended his support to Atwoli, urging him not to be disheartened by the criticism, describing it as merely politics.

“Papa Francis Atwoli, I saw when you expressed feeling hurt seeing your ‘son,’ Governor Sakaja, under attack. I want to tell you, Papa, don’t feel pain because it’s a normal thing. That’s politics. The work we’re doing in Nairobi, some people want to distract us,” Sakaja remarked.

The legislator went on to note that he too feels hurt whenever someone attacks his father (Atwoli)

He asserted that the same people attacking him are the ones attacking the COTU boss.

“Don’t feel pain. You know, I also feel hurt when I see you facing attacks. I’ve noticed they’ve now started targeting you. But don’t give up, Papa, because those sent to attack me are the same ones targeting you,” Sakaja noted.

Adding

“Stay strong. You’re not just a leader of the trade union movement in Kenya but in Africa. You deserve respect. Francis Atwoli should be accorded the respect due to him as the leader of workers, not only in Kenya but in Africa as a whole.”

Atwoli to Sakaja

Atwoli expressed his disapproval of the ongoing criticisms directed at the governor.

Speaking during a COTU Thanksgiving service on Sunday, April 28 at St Stephen’s ACK Church on Jogoo Road, the COTU boss said that somebody should tell Sakaja critics that his father (Atwoli) is unhappy with them.

Atwoli said that the governor was like his son since his father retired and left him in his care.

He noted that when he urged the public to elect Sakaja as Senator of Nairobi, they honoured his request.

“He’s my boy. When his father retired and left him behind, he left him under our care. When someone stands on TV hitting that boy (Sakaja), the first person to feel hurt is the father,” Atwoli remarked.

Sakaja under siege

This comes hot on the heels of UDA MPs alongside several Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) accusing Sakaja of mismanaging the city.

The politicians raised concerns about the failure of the current administration to meet the expectations of residents who voted for the President’s party in 2022.

The lawmakers, led by Dagoretti South MP John KJ Kiarie, issued a call for investigative authorities to probe rampant corruption allegations at Nairobi’s City Hall.

Kiarie expressed deep concern over what he described as the city’s most severe leadership crisis.

“It is our observation that is now the view of the majority of city county residents that Nairobi could be facing its worst leadership crisis at City Hall. The dream that was sold during the campaigns of a city of order, dignity and opportunities for all has turned into the nightmare that Nairobi is becoming,” Kiarie said.

Accompanied by MPs Augustine Kamande Mwafrika and Benjamin Gathiru, as well as several MCAs, including Nairobi South ward representative Waithera Chege, the group criticized the City Hall leadership for being disconnected from the city’s problems.

They highlighted issues such as pervasive sewage, mountains of garbage, water shortages, and flooding, painting a grim picture of Nairobi’s condition.

Of particular concern to the lawmakers were unauthorized high-rise constructions, which they alleged were facilitated by corrupt officials accepting bribes in cash or property.

They also challenged Sakaja’s support for tall buildings in areas like Kileleshwa, Lavington, and Eastleigh, accusing him of ignoring the city’s planning needs.

Meanwhile, Sakaja’s focus on the UDA chairmanship elections was criticized as a diversion from addressing Nairobi’s pressing issues.

The lawmakers asserted that the city lacks a vision and master plan, as evidenced by the recent damning report from Auditor General Nancy Gathungu, which exposed widespread financial mismanagement at City Hall.

Sakaja responds

Sakaja expressed his disappointment with MPs, calling their actions petty politics.

He emphasized that each official was chosen by the people for specific roles, urging for collaboration rather than political bickering.

“Ni kawaida. Saa zingine lazima utafute njia ya kuelewana nao sababu walichaguliwa na wananchi na ninawaheshimu sana. Mimi pia nilichaguliwa na wananchi, nina kazi yangu kama Gavana, wako na kazi yao kama wabunge na MCAs,” Sakaja told a local radio station.

The Governor stressed the importance of resolving internal party issues internally, without resorting to public confrontation.

He emphasized the need for dialogue within the party to address grievances, condemning the escalation of conflicts to the media as a sign of party indiscipline.

“The wise thing is to sit together and talk if you are in the same party and if you fail, find the leader of the party and tell him what the problem is. Those things should not be escalated kuenda kwa magazeti that is party indiscipline. Most of these issues are solved from within the party.”