Sakaja vs Igathe in the Battle for Nairobi

The 2022 inaugural Presidential Debates’ sessions kicked off last night with candidates eyeing the Nairobi’s governor seat—the country’s richest county and its capital—laying out their agenda for the city’s 4.39 million people.

The debate started at 8 pm – initially Igathe enjoyed a solo session after Johnson Sakaja, his Opponent failed to show up on time.

After 15 minutes, Sakaja arrived at CUEA where the Presidential Debates Committee was hosting the debate alongside its partners

Mr Johnson Sakaja and Mr Polycarp Igathe faced off in the second half of the debate, while five others, who have polled below five per cent in an aggregation of polls, faced off in a second tier debate for the hearts and minds of 2,415,310 voters spread across 17 constituencies and 85 wards.

Issues of academic credentials and Mr Sakaja’s tribulations surfaced during the debate but Mr Igathe said he is ready to face his opponent on the ballot come August 9, 2022.

For his part, Mr Sakaja said the government does not want him on the ballot yet he has proven that he has a bona fide degree from TEAM University in Uganda.

Igathe who is a Jubilee party candidate raised the issue of cartels- which, according to Sakaja was an excuse used by lazy leaders. 

“Cartel is a weak excuse by politicians who fail to master the courage to deal with Corruption. If you know them, name them.”

Sakaja who is UDA candidate further claimed that Igathe was already being funded by shadowy figures – insisting that he would table the evidence on Tuesday morning, July 12, on his Twitter account. 

The Jubilee candidate responded by promising to file his own evidence on false documents that were allegedly signed by the senator. 

Mr. Igathe who is also former Nairobi deputy governor said he will bring in a servant leadership style that puts the people at the forefront of service delivery.