A renewed dispute has flared up between Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja.
This conflict resurfaced after Sakaja claimed that he had bailed Owino out of jail, a statement that Owino vehemently denies.
During a speech at the Bomas of Kenya on Wednesday, Governor Sakaja asserted, “My work to bring people together has not started recently.
When Babu Owino was arrested, who bailed him out? I believe in one Nairobi.”
MP Babu Owino quickly responded on X (formerly Twitter), accusing Sakaja of misleading the public.
“Stop lying to Kenyans, Sakaja Johnson. You came to Parklands police station looking for a political kick.
I paid my 100k cash bail. I have been arrested many times, and you can still see me around. Do you want to say that you have been helping me in my cases?” Owino tweeted.
The dispute did not end there. Just two hours after his initial post, Owino shared a video clip showing a group of individuals, purportedly Nairobi County workers, protesting and chanting “Sakaja must go!” Accompanying the video, Owino wrote, “Things have come to a boil because Nairobi County employees are tired.”
The conflict between the two politicians highlights deeper issues within Nairobi County’s governance.
Earlier, Governor Sakaja had threatened to fire some of his staff for allegedly disrespecting his leadership, further inflaming tensions within the county administration.
The exchange between Sakaja and Owino underscores the challenges facing Nairobi’s leadership.
While Sakaja emphasizes unity and his role in supporting fellow leaders, Owino’s accusations suggest a more contentious relationship.
The protest by county workers adds another layer of complexity, indicating dissatisfaction among Nairobi’s public servants with the current administration.
As this dispute unfolds, it reflects the broader political dynamics in Nairobi.
The conflicting narratives from Sakaja and Owino not only highlight personal animosities but also point to systemic issues within the city’s governance.
The public spat and subsequent protest suggest that resolving these issues will require more than just political rhetoric.
In summary, the renewed clash between Governor Sakaja and MP Babu Owino brings to light significant leadership and administrative challenges within Nairobi County.
While Sakaja portrays himself as a unifier, Owino’s rebuttal and the county workers’ protest suggest deeper divisions and dissatisfaction that need to be addressed to ensure effective governance in Kenya’s capital.
