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{{Short description|Kenyan politician (born 1985)}}
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{{Infobox person
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific_prefix =
| name = Sakaja Johnson
| name = Johnson Sakaja
| image =
| alt =
| native_name =
| caption =
| native_name_lang =
| honorific_suffix =
⚫
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1985|02|02}}
| image = Sakaja in 2024.jpg
| nationality = Kenyan
| image_size =
| other_names = Arthur
| image_upright =
⚫
| occupation = The Senator of Nairobi County
| known_for =
| smallimage =
| smallimage_alt =
| notable_works = [[National alliance party of kenya|Youngest Political Party leader]], <br> [[National Assembly (Kenya)|Astute Legislator]]
| alt =
| party = Jubilee Party
| caption = Sakaja in 2024
| office = 4th Governor of [[Nairobi City County]]
| status =
| termstart = 25 August 2022
| termend =
| president =
| predecessor = [[Anne Kananu]]
| birth_name =
⚫
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1985|02|2}}
| birth_place = [[Nairobi]], Kenya
| education =
| occupation = Politician
| spouse =
| party = [[United Democratic Alliance (Kenya)|United Democratic Alliance]]<ref>{{cite web|first1=Collins|last1=Omulo|date=16 June 2022|url=https://nation.africa/kenya/news/politics/sakaja-what-next-for-nairobi-governor-race--3849958|title=Sakaja: What next for Nairobi governor race?|website=[[Daily Nation|Nation]]|accessdate=20 June 2022}}</ref>
⚫
| office2 = Senator of [[Nairobi City County]]
| successor2 = [[Edwin Sifuna]]
| predecessor2 = [[Mike Sonko]]
| termstart2 = 31 August 2017
| termend2 = 9 August 2022
| president2 = [[Uhuru Kenyatta]]
| deputy = [[James Muchiri]]
}}
}}
'''Sakaja Johnson''' (born 2 February 1985) is the current Senator of Nairobi County, following his election to the position on 8 August 2017 General Election in Kenya. Previously, he was a nominated Member of Parliament (National Assembly), in office since 2017. He was nominated to Parliament by [[The National Alliance]] (TNA) party which is part of the ruling Jubilee Coalition (now [[Jubilee Party of Kenya|Jubilee party]]).<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2013/01/29/uhurus-tna-nominates-sakaja-to-parliament_c731720|title=Uhuru's TNA nominates Sakaja to Parliament|work=The Star, Kenya|access-date=2017-03-07|language=en}}</ref> He served as the National Chairman of The National Alliance (TNA) until 9 September 2016 when the party merged with 12 others to for the Jubilee Party.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2016/09/come-together-unity-development-uhurus-tna/|title=We have come together for unity and development - Uhuru's TNA » Capital News|date=2016-09-09|work=Capital News|access-date=2017-03-07|language=en-US}}</ref>
'''Johnson Arthur Sakaja''' {{post-nominals|country=KEN|CBS}} (born 2 February 1985) is a Kenyan politician serving as the governor of [[Nairobi County|Nairobi City County]] since 25 August 2022. Previously, he served as the Senator of Nairobi from 2017 to 2022, and as a nominated Member of the National Assembly from 2013 to 2017. He was nominated to Parliament by [[The National Alliance]] (TNA) party which was part of the ruling Jubilee Coalition (now [[Jubilee Party of Kenya|Jubilee Party]]).<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2013/01/29/uhurus-tna-nominates-sakaja-to-parliament_c731720|title=Uhuru's TNA nominates Sakaja to Parliament|work=The Star, Kenya|access-date=2017-03-07|language=en}}</ref> He was the National Chairman of The National Alliance (TNA) until 9 September 2016 when the party merged with 12 others to form the Jubilee Party.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2016/09/come-together-unity-development-uhurus-tna/|title=We have come together for unity and development - Uhuru's TNA » Capital News|date=2016-09-09|work=Capital News|access-date=2017-03-07|language=en-US}}</ref>


== Early life ==
== Career ==
=== Politics ===
Sakaja was born and raised in Nairobi, in the then government quarters in Parklands as a last born in a family of three siblings. He went to Aga Khan Nursery and Primary school up to 1998 and later joined Lenana School where his leadership qualities were apparent very early on.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.mediamaxnetwork.co.ke/news/303094/born-a-leader/|title=Born a leader?|work=Mediamax Network Limited|access-date=2017-03-07|language=en-US}}</ref> At Lenana, Sakaja was the prefects’ coordinator as well as the law society vice-chairman. During his days at Lenanna, he was at one time the best in public speaking in Kenya during the National Music Festivals through a topic titled "My Country Kenya". Thereafter, he joined University of Nairobi, after failing to raise the fees to join Havard despite passing the entry exams, where he graduated with a degree Actuarial Science. Sakaja landed his first job at the age of 19 years at [[PricewaterhouseCoopers|Pricewatercoopers]] (PwC). After losing the job, a year later, he worked at a cyber cafe with his aunt and in the process started producing music. He developed an interest in rapping and wrote up several songs but never followed through to record and release the songs. He however worked with a gospel musical group called Mission Driven.<ref>{{Citation|last=missiondriven|title=Save me Saviour (Forgive) by Mission Driven|date=2006-09-02|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTLzG1FH0xQ|accessdate=2017-03-07}}</ref> During his life in campus, Sakaja set up various businesses and ended up setting up a financial consultancy firm, Arthur Johnson Consultants, during his fourth year in campus. The firm is still actively running.
Sakaja was elected as the Chairman of the Student Organisation of Team University (SOTU) while studying at the [[Team University]]. However, there are speculations he never graduated from TEAM university.<ref name="standard-biography">{{cite news | url=https://www.kbc.co.ke/i-do-have-a-degree-from-team-university-maintains-sakaja/ | title='I do have a degree from Team University' maintains Sakaja | work=KBC | date=11 July 2022 | accessdate=23 November 2022 | author=Wanja, Claire}}</ref>


After the 2008 post-election crisis, he contributed to the formulation of the 2010 constitution where he made submissions on the definition of constituency boundaries.<ref name="nation-actuary">{{cite news | url=https://nation.africa/kenya/news/politics/1064-852740-64u7wqz/index.html | title=Secrets of Naivasha deal unraveled | work=Daily Nation | date=30 January 2010 | accessdate=2 September 2022}}</ref> At the age of 26, Sakaja helped form The National Alliance (TNA) of which he became the chairman. This was the party that the former Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta rode to electoral victory in 2013.
== Political life ==
Sakaja’s political journey started in his days as a student at the [[University of Nairobi]]<ref>[https://softkenya.com/kenya/johnson-sakaja/ Profile]</ref> as vice chair of the Actuarial Students Association. He was later elected as the Chairman of the Student Organisation of Nairobi University in SONU.<ref>[https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2000105984/johnson-sakaja-s-charmed-life-outside-rough-and-tumble-of-politics Kenya: Johnson Sakaja’s charmed life outside rough and tumble of politics]</ref> Sakaja’s first dalliance with national politics was in 2005, during the referendum for the then proposed constitution. He used his platform as a SONU leader to rally the youth at the Referendum. Thereafter, he joined the [[Kibaki]] team for 2007 elections starting off as a driver before eventually becoming the director of the Vijana na Kibaki lobby group. At the election, where he took a lead role in vote tallying support for the Presidential Secretariat. During the 2008 post-election crisis, his resolve to see a solution found resulted in him addressing President Mwai Kibaki’s Cabinet at the age of 22. It was here that he first came into contact with the current president ([[Uhuru Kenyatta]]) who was then the Minister for Local Government. He shortly moved to help with the formulation of the 2010 constitution where he took a lead role in definition of constituency boundaries, bringing his <ref>[http://www.nation.co.ke/news/politics/1064-852740-64u7wqz/index.html knowledge of numbers]</ref> to fore. Sakaja also worked with Uhuru Kenyatta at the Ministry of Finance where the latter was the Minister and also the Deputy Prime Minister in the then Grand Coalition Government. In various interviews, Sakaja has referred to the Uhuru Kenyatta as his personal friend, mentor and an older brother. Thereafter, at the age of 26, Sakaja helped form The National Alliance (TNA) of which he became the Chairman. This was the party that the current Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta rode to electoral victory in 2013. Aged only 27, he became the youngest Chairman of a ruling party in the world.


The thirty four year old Sakaja Johnson Arthur is the Senator of Nairobi County duly elected in the 2017 General Elections. As stipulated by the 2010 Constitution of Kenya, He is responsible for representing Nairobi County, protecting the interests of its citizens and that of the county government. He is also mandated to participate in law making, allocation of national revenue and exercising oversight over national revenue allocated to the county government. He also serves as the Chairperson of the Kenya Young Parliamentarians Association, a parliamentary caucus responsible for advocacy of youth empowering policies and legislation as well as mentorship of youth leaders. Hon. Sakaja has also co-authored a book in collaboration with the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ - Kenya Chapter) on Representation and Fiscal Decentralization having particularly written on the Operational Framework for Devolution in Kenya. Other than that, he serves as the Chairperson of the Committee of Labour and Social Welfare, a Standing Committee which deals with matters pertaining manpower and human resource planning, gender, cultural and social welfare, national heritage, betting, lotteries, sports, public entertainment, public amenities and recreation.
As Senator for Nairobi, Sakaja participated in law making, allocation of national revenue and exercising oversight over national revenue allocated to the county government. He also served as the Chairperson of the Kenya Young Parliamentarians Association, a parliamentary caucus responsible for advocacy of youth empowering policies and legislation as well as mentorship of youth leaders. Sakaja co-authored a book in collaboration with the [[Kenyan Section of the International Commission of Jurists]] on Representation and Fiscal Decentralization.<ref name="ahaic-sakaja">{{cite web | url=https://ahaic.org/2021/speaker/honorable-johnson-sakaja/ | title=Honorable Johnson Sakaja | publisher=Africa Health Agenda International Conference | accessdate=2 September 2022}}</ref> He served as the Chairperson of the Committee of Labour and Social Welfare, a standing Committee which deals with matters pertaining manpower and human resource planning, gender, cultural and social welfare, national heritage, betting, lotteries, sports, public entertainment, public amenities and recreation.<ref name="parliament-senate">{{cite web | url=http://www.parliament.go.ke/the-senate/committees/standing-committee/12/committee-on-labour-and-social-welfare | title=COMMITTEE ON LABOUR AND SOCIAL WELFARE | work=The Kenyan Parliament Website | accessdate=2 September 2022}}</ref>
Hon. Sakaja is also the Vice Chairperson of the committee on National Security, Defense and Foreign Relations. This is a Standing Committee on regional integration, national security and foreign relations, international relations, agreements, treaties and conventions.


⚫
==== Parliament ====
== The National Alliance Party (TNA) ==
⚫
Sakaja was seconded by TNA to the National Assembly as one of its three nominated MPs. In the [[National Assembly (Kenya)|National Assembly]], Sakaja was seconded by Jubilee Coalition to the House Business Committee, the Joint Committee on National Cohesion and Equal Opportunity and Departmental Committee on Finance, Planning and Trade. He is currently the Chairman of the Joint Committee on National Cohesion and Equal Opportunity. Sakaja is also the Chairman of Kenya Young Parliamentary Association<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kypa.or.ke|title=KYPA {{!}} Young Members of Parliament|website=www.kypa.or.ke|language=en-US|access-date=2017-03-07}}</ref> which is a caucus made up of MPs who are below 35 years of age.
[[The National Alliance]] was founded as the National Alliance Party of Kenya on 3 July 2000 when people from varying background decided to form an alliance of democratic forces to work for the social, economic and political unity and welfare of Kenyan communities. The leaders of the communities represented at the inaugural meeting subsequently approached Mr. Lawrence Nginyo Kariuki, a prominent businessman and renowned politician to be the founding chairman of the Alliance and Mr. Kariuki consented. The Alliance has the primary objective of bringing Kenyans together, with the recognition that being united, they stand a better chance of successfully tackling the political, social and economic challenges they face.
Sakaja was the founding chairman of the party with President Uhuru Kenyatta as the party leader. Other than winning the Presidency, TNA won 72 of the 290 seats during the 2013 election and also took 17 of the 47 Senate seats and 14 of the 47 Woman Representative seats. Working with Deputy President William Ruto’s United Republican Party (URP) and other like-minded parties, TNA through the Jubilee Coalition formed the Majority in both the National Assembly and the Senate.


⚫
In his role at Parliament, Sakaja has sponsored bills which the president assented to:
⚫
== Parliament ==
⚫
* Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015 –which essentially provides for "30% Procurement Reservation Criteria" for Youth, Women and Persons with disability.
⚫
Sakaja was seconded by TNA to the National Assembly as one of its three nominated MPs. In the [[National Assembly (Kenya)|National Assembly]], Sakaja was seconded by Jubilee Coalition to the House Business Committee, [http://www.parliament.go.ke/index.php/the-national-assembly/committees/mandate-and-classification the Joint Committee on National Cohesion and Equal Opportunity] and Departmental Committee on Finance, Planning and Trade. He is currently the Chairman of the Joint Committee on National Cohesion and Equal Opportunity. Sakaja is also the Chairman of Kenya Young Parliamentary Association<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kypa.or.ke|title=KYPA {{!}} Young Members of Parliament|website=www.kypa.or.ke|language=en-US|access-date=2017-03-07}}</ref> which is a caucus made up of MPs who are below 35 years of age.
⚫
* The National Youth Employment Authority Bill, which creates a The National Employment Authority that shall actively seek opportunities for all the jobseekers in its database both locally and internationally, and prepare them for those opportunities through capacity building programs.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2016/04/bill-to-provide-youths-job-access-among-4-signed-into-law/|title=Bill to provide youths job access among 4 signed into law » Capital News|date=2016-04-01|work=Capital News|access-date=2017-03-07|language=en-US}}</ref>
⚫
* The Private Security Regulation Bill, which provides for a framework for cooperation between private security companies and the national security organs
⚫
* The Disaster Risk Management Bill, providing for a more effective organization of disaster risk management and mitigation, of preparedness for, response to and recovery from emergencies and disasters


==== Nairobi Senatorial race 2017 ====
⚫
Sakaja has served well in his role at Parliament, sponsoring key Bills to which the President has assented to;
In 2017 Sakaja stepped out of the Gubernatorial race and opted to go for the Senator seat.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.nation.co.ke/news/Johnson-Sakaja-quits-Nairobi-governor-race/1056-3852030-i9e0daz/index.html | title=Johnson Sakaja quits Nairobi governor race | date=28 June 2020 }}</ref>
⚫
# Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015 –which essentially provides for "30% Procurement Reservation Criteria" for Youth, Women and Persons with disability.
⚫
# The National Youth Employment Authority Bill, which creates a The National Employment Authority that shall actively seek opportunities for all the jobseekers in its database both locally and internationally, and prepare them for those opportunities through capacity building programs.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2016/04/bill-to-provide-youths-job-access-among-4-signed-into-law/|title=Bill to provide youths job access among 4 signed into law » Capital News|date=2016-04-01|work=Capital News|access-date=2017-03-07|language=en-US}}</ref>
⚫
# The Private Security Regulation Bill, which provides for a framework for cooperation between private security companies and the national security organs
⚫
# The Disaster Risk Management Bill, providing for a more effective organization of disaster risk management and mitigation, of preparedness for, response to and recovery from emergencies and disasters


== Nairobi Senatorial race 2017 ==
==== 2022 Nairobi gubernatorial race ====
In November 2021, Sakaja declared his interest to vie for [[Nairobi County|Nairobi City]] Governor's seat in the 2022 Nairobi gubernatorial election. He was subsequently cleared by the [[Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission|IEBC]] to run for the seat on 7 June 2022.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2021/11/sakaja-declares-interest-in-the-nairobi-governors-sea | title=Sakaja declares interest in the Nairobi Governor's seat » Capital News | date=2 November 2021 }}</ref>
[http://www.nation.co.ke/news/Johnson-Sakaja-quits-Nairobi-governor-race/1056-3852030-i9e0daz/index.html He later decided to step out of the Gubernatorial] race and opted to go for the Nairobi Senator seat. During the party nominations he trounced his opponents to receive the highest votes in Nairobi. He went ahead to win the Senatorial seat with an overwhelming majority.
His clearance by IEBC has however remained a point of contention <ref>{{cite web | url=https://nation.africa/kenya/news/cue-summons-sakaja-asks-for-evidence-to-back-degree-3851948 | title=CUE summons Sakaja, asks for evidence to back degree | date=17 June 2022 }}</ref> since there is doubt about his academic qualifications. Mr Sakaja won the gubernatorial election with 699,392 votes, while his [[Jubilee Party]] opponent [[Polycarp Igathe]] got 573,516 votes.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-14 |title=Johnson Sakaja, Edwin Sifuna and Esther Passaris win Nairobi top seats |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/counties/nairobi/johnson-sakaja-edwin-sifuna-and-esther-passaris-win-nairobi-top-seats--3913930 |access-date=2022-08-18 |website=Nation |language=en}}</ref>

== Honors and awards ==
Sakaja is deputized by James Njoroge Muchiri who had been serving as Absa Bank Kenya Ltd Chief Operating Officer. They were sworn into office on 25 August 2022 at Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC). In attendance was the President of Kenya William Ruto among other guests.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ng'ang'a |first=Grace |title=Sakaja picks banker as deputy for city governor election |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/politics/article/2001444146/sakaja-picks-banker-as-deputy-for-city-governor-election |access-date=2022-10-05 |website=The Standard |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-25 |title=Sakaja sworn in as the 4th Governor of Nairobi City County. {{!}} Nairobi City County |url=https://nairobi.go.ke/swearing-in-of-governor-elect-nairobi-city-county-2/ |access-date=2022-10-05 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kamunde |first=Muraya |date=2022-08-25 |title=Ruto to attend Sakaja's swearing-in as Nairobi Governor |url=https://www.kbc.co.ke/ruto-to-attend-sakajas-swearing-in-as-nairobi-governor/ |access-date=2022-10-05 |website=KBC |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tongola |first=Mate |title=President-elect Ruto attends Sakaja's swearing-in as Nairobi Governor |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001454000/president-elect-william-ruto-attends-johnson-sakajas-swearing-in |access-date=2022-10-05 |website=The Standard |language=en}}</ref>
⚫
# African Achievers Award Change-maker of the Year 2016<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://mobile.nation.co.ke/news/politics/Sakaja-wins-Africa-Change-maker-award/3126390-3260146-wiedbu/index.html|title=Sakaja wins Africa change-maker award|last=App|first=Daily Nation|access-date=2017-03-07|language=en}}</ref>

# Jacob Well Award 2016 (Men Impacting Differently)<ref>{{Citation|last=Kingdom Business Solutions|title=2016 MID Hon Johnson Sakaja Video Break Free|date=2016-07-12|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPNUFp3S58o&index=5&list=PL-x8GiUkegwuTPhXVA1n1nHeNDglDSd9f|accessdate=2017-03-07}}</ref>
== Awards ==
⚫
In 2016, Sakaja was awarded the African Achievers Award Change-maker of the year.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://mobile.nation.co.ke/news/politics/Sakaja-wins-Africa-Change-maker-award/3126390-3260146-wiedbu/index.html|title=Sakaja wins Africa change-maker award|last=App|first=Daily Nation|access-date=2017-03-07|language=en}}</ref> Later in the year, he also won the Jacob Well Award (Men Impacting Differently)<ref>{{Citation|last=Kingdom Business Solutions|title=2016 MID Hon Johnson Sakaja Video Break Free|date=2016-07-12|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPNUFp3S58o&index=5&list=PL-x8GiUkegwuTPhXVA1n1nHeNDglDSd9f|access-date=2017-03-07}}</ref>


== Membership and association ==
== Membership and association ==
# Chairman Kenya Young Parliamentarians Association<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kypa.or.ke|title=KYPA {{!}} Young Members of Parliament|website=www.kypa.or.ke|language=en-US|access-date=2017-03-07}}</ref>
*Chairman Kenya Young Parliamentarians Association<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kypa.or.ke|title=KYPA {{!}} Young Members of Parliament|website=www.kypa.or.ke|language=en-US|access-date=2017-03-07}}</ref>
# Chairman of the Committee on Labor and Social Welfare
*Chairman of the Committee on Labor and Social Welfare
# Vice Chairman of the Committee on National Security, Defense and Foreign Relations
*Vice Chairman of the Committee on National Security, Defense and Foreign Relations
# Patron of Kenya Professional Boxing Commission
*Patron of Kenya Professional Boxing Commission
# Executive Member Kenya National Private Security Workers Union
*Executive Member Kenya National Private Security Workers Union
# Patron of AFC Leopards Football Club
*Patron of AFC Leopards Football Club
# Member of the Liaison Committee in the National Assembly
*Member of the Liaison Committee in the National Assembly

== Controversies==
Sakaja's political career has included several controversies and allegations of corruption.

=== Revoked degree ===
While he claimed to have graduated from the [[University of Nairobi]] with Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science, UON in a letter confirmed he was yet to graduate. After this exposee from UON, he presented a Degree in Management from [[Team University]] in Uganda. On 29 June 2022, the Kenyan [[Commission for University Education]] declared Sakaja's Team University degree to be revoked.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://nation.africa/kenya/news/politics/questions-still-abound-about-sakaja-degree-list-3845924 | title=Johnson Sakaja's degree: Name not in graduation booklet | date=12 June 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240623205316/https://nation.africa/kenya/news/politics/questions-still-abound-about-sakaja-degree-list-3845924|archive-date=2024-06-23|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pulselive.co.ke/news/local/nairobi-senator-johnson-sakajas-name-missing-in-ugandan-university-graduation-list/33zzgld | title=Sakaja's name missing in Ugandan University graduation list | date=12 June 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240623205602/https://www.pulselive.co.ke/news/local/nairobi-senator-johnson-sakajas-name-missing-in-ugandan-university-graduation-list/33zzgld|archive-date=2024-06-23|url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-30 |title=Sakaja's degree revoked again |url=https://www.k24tv.co.ke/news/sakajas-degree-revoked-again-68653/ |access-date=2022-08-18 |website=[[K24 TV]] |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630130318/https://www.k24tv.co.ke/news/sakajas-degree-revoked-again-68653|archive-date=2022-06-30}}</ref> In July 2022, the High Court dismissed a petition challenging the validity of Sakaja's academic qualifications due to lack of evidence.<ref>{{Cite web |last=OSORO |first=JOHN |date=2022-07-12 |title=High Court dismisses petition challenging Sakaja's Degree Certificate » Capital News |url=https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2022/07/high-court-dismisses-petition-challenging-sakajas-degree-certificate/ |access-date=2022-08-18 |website=Capital News |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Kemsa scandal ===
In December 2020, he was adversely mentioned in a Sh. 7.8 billion KEMSA Scandal. Documents tabled in parliament revealed that the lawmaker received kickbacks from Shop N Buy. A Kenyan official, Charles Juma, who acted as procurement director at KEMSA, alleged that Sakaja pressurized Kemsa CEO Jonah Manjari to award a commitment letter for Shop N Buy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2020-12-01-sakaja-dragged-into-sh78bn-kemsa-ppe-scandal/|title=The Star {{!}} Sakaja dragged into Sh7.8bn Kemsa PPE scandal|website=the-star.co.ke/|language=en-US|access-date=June 13, 2022}}</ref>

==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
*[http://iamnairobi.co.ke/ Official Website]
*[http://iamnairobi.co.ke/ Official website]
*[https://nation.africa/kenya/news/politics/now-sakaja-faces-arrest-for-forgery-3851124 "DCI links Sakaja to global crime ring as ‘fake’ degree saga takes another twist"]

{{Authority control}}


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Latest revision as of 06:51, 22 December 2024

Johnson Sakaja
Sakaja in 2024
4th Governor of Nairobi City County
Incumbent
Assumed office
25 August 2022
DeputyJames Muchiri
Preceded byAnne Kananu
Senator of Nairobi City County
In office
31 August 2017 – 9 August 2022
PresidentUhuru Kenyatta
Preceded byMike Sonko
Succeeded byEdwin Sifuna
Personal details
Born (1985-02-02) 2 February 1985 (age 39)
Nairobi, Kenya
Political partyUnited Democratic Alliance[1]
OccupationPolitician

Johnson Arthur Sakaja CBS (born 2 February 1985) is a Kenyan politician serving as the governor of Nairobi City County since 25 August 2022. Previously, he served as the Senator of Nairobi from 2017 to 2022, and as a nominated Member of the National Assembly from 2013 to 2017. He was nominated to Parliament by The National Alliance (TNA) party which was part of the ruling Jubilee Coalition (now Jubilee Party).[2] He was the National Chairman of The National Alliance (TNA) until 9 September 2016 when the party merged with 12 others to form the Jubilee Party.[3]

Career

[edit]

Politics

[edit]

Sakaja was elected as the Chairman of the Student Organisation of Team University (SOTU) while studying at the Team University. However, there are speculations he never graduated from TEAM university.[4]

After the 2008 post-election crisis, he contributed to the formulation of the 2010 constitution where he made submissions on the definition of constituency boundaries.[5] At the age of 26, Sakaja helped form The National Alliance (TNA) of which he became the chairman. This was the party that the former Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta rode to electoral victory in 2013.

As Senator for Nairobi, Sakaja participated in law making, allocation of national revenue and exercising oversight over national revenue allocated to the county government. He also served as the Chairperson of the Kenya Young Parliamentarians Association, a parliamentary caucus responsible for advocacy of youth empowering policies and legislation as well as mentorship of youth leaders. Sakaja co-authored a book in collaboration with the Kenyan Section of the International Commission of Jurists on Representation and Fiscal Decentralization.[6] He served as the Chairperson of the Committee of Labour and Social Welfare, a standing Committee which deals with matters pertaining manpower and human resource planning, gender, cultural and social welfare, national heritage, betting, lotteries, sports, public entertainment, public amenities and recreation.[7]

Parliament

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Sakaja was seconded by TNA to the National Assembly as one of its three nominated MPs. In the National Assembly, Sakaja was seconded by Jubilee Coalition to the House Business Committee, the Joint Committee on National Cohesion and Equal Opportunity and Departmental Committee on Finance, Planning and Trade. He is currently the Chairman of the Joint Committee on National Cohesion and Equal Opportunity. Sakaja is also the Chairman of Kenya Young Parliamentary Association[8] which is a caucus made up of MPs who are below 35 years of age.

In his role at Parliament, Sakaja has sponsored bills which the president assented to:

  • Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015 –which essentially provides for "30% Procurement Reservation Criteria" for Youth, Women and Persons with disability.
  • The National Youth Employment Authority Bill, which creates a The National Employment Authority that shall actively seek opportunities for all the jobseekers in its database both locally and internationally, and prepare them for those opportunities through capacity building programs.[9]
  • The Private Security Regulation Bill, which provides for a framework for cooperation between private security companies and the national security organs
  • The Disaster Risk Management Bill, providing for a more effective organization of disaster risk management and mitigation, of preparedness for, response to and recovery from emergencies and disasters

Nairobi Senatorial race 2017

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In 2017 Sakaja stepped out of the Gubernatorial race and opted to go for the Senator seat.[10]

2022 Nairobi gubernatorial race

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In November 2021, Sakaja declared his interest to vie for Nairobi City Governor's seat in the 2022 Nairobi gubernatorial election. He was subsequently cleared by the IEBC to run for the seat on 7 June 2022.[11] His clearance by IEBC has however remained a point of contention [12] since there is doubt about his academic qualifications. Mr Sakaja won the gubernatorial election with 699,392 votes, while his Jubilee Party opponent Polycarp Igathe got 573,516 votes.[13]

Sakaja is deputized by James Njoroge Muchiri who had been serving as Absa Bank Kenya Ltd Chief Operating Officer. They were sworn into office on 25 August 2022 at Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC). In attendance was the President of Kenya William Ruto among other guests.[14][15][16][17]

Awards

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In 2016, Sakaja was awarded the African Achievers Award Change-maker of the year.[18] Later in the year, he also won the Jacob Well Award (Men Impacting Differently)[19]

Membership and association

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  • Chairman Kenya Young Parliamentarians Association[20]
  • Chairman of the Committee on Labor and Social Welfare
  • Vice Chairman of the Committee on National Security, Defense and Foreign Relations
  • Patron of Kenya Professional Boxing Commission
  • Executive Member Kenya National Private Security Workers Union
  • Patron of AFC Leopards Football Club
  • Member of the Liaison Committee in the National Assembly

Controversies

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Sakaja's political career has included several controversies and allegations of corruption.

Revoked degree

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While he claimed to have graduated from the University of Nairobi with Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science, UON in a letter confirmed he was yet to graduate. After this exposee from UON, he presented a Degree in Management from Team University in Uganda. On 29 June 2022, the Kenyan Commission for University Education declared Sakaja's Team University degree to be revoked.[21][22][23] In July 2022, the High Court dismissed a petition challenging the validity of Sakaja's academic qualifications due to lack of evidence.[24]

Kemsa scandal

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In December 2020, he was adversely mentioned in a Sh. 7.8 billion KEMSA Scandal. Documents tabled in parliament revealed that the lawmaker received kickbacks from Shop N Buy. A Kenyan official, Charles Juma, who acted as procurement director at KEMSA, alleged that Sakaja pressurized Kemsa CEO Jonah Manjari to award a commitment letter for Shop N Buy.[25]

References

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  1. ^ Omulo, Collins (16 June 2022). "Sakaja: What next for Nairobi governor race?". Nation. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
  2. ^ "Uhuru's TNA nominates Sakaja to Parliament". The Star, Kenya. Retrieved 7 March 2017.
  3. ^ "We have come together for unity and development - Uhuru's TNA » Capital News". Capital News. 9 September 2016. Retrieved 7 March 2017.
  4. ^ Wanja, Claire (11 July 2022). "'I do have a degree from Team University' maintains Sakaja". KBC. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  5. ^ "Secrets of Naivasha deal unraveled". Daily Nation. 30 January 2010. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  6. ^ "Honorable Johnson Sakaja". Africa Health Agenda International Conference. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  7. ^ "COMMITTEE ON LABOUR AND SOCIAL WELFARE". The Kenyan Parliament Website. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  8. ^ "KYPA | Young Members of Parliament". www.kypa.or.ke. Retrieved 7 March 2017.
  9. ^ "Bill to provide youths job access among 4 signed into law » Capital News". Capital News. 1 April 2016. Retrieved 7 March 2017.
  10. ^ "Johnson Sakaja quits Nairobi governor race". 28 June 2020.
  11. ^ "Sakaja declares interest in the Nairobi Governor's seat » Capital News". 2 November 2021.
  12. ^ "CUE summons Sakaja, asks for evidence to back degree". 17 June 2022.
  13. ^ "Johnson Sakaja, Edwin Sifuna and Esther Passaris win Nairobi top seats". Nation. 14 August 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  14. ^ Ng'ang'a, Grace. "Sakaja picks banker as deputy for city governor election". The Standard. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  15. ^ "Sakaja sworn in as the 4th Governor of Nairobi City County. | Nairobi City County". 25 August 2022. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  16. ^ Kamunde, Muraya (25 August 2022). "Ruto to attend Sakaja's swearing-in as Nairobi Governor". KBC. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  17. ^ Tongola, Mate. "President-elect Ruto attends Sakaja's swearing-in as Nairobi Governor". The Standard. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  18. ^ App, Daily Nation. "Sakaja wins Africa change-maker award". Retrieved 7 March 2017.
  19. ^ Kingdom Business Solutions (12 July 2016), 2016 MID Hon Johnson Sakaja Video Break Free, retrieved 7 March 2017 {{citation}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  20. ^ "KYPA | Young Members of Parliament". www.kypa.or.ke. Retrieved 7 March 2017.
  21. ^ "Johnson Sakaja's degree: Name not in graduation booklet". 12 June 2022. Archived from the original on 23 June 2024.
  22. ^ "Sakaja's name missing in Ugandan University graduation list". 12 June 2022. Archived from the original on 23 June 2024.
  23. ^ "Sakaja's degree revoked again". K24 TV. 30 June 2022. Archived from the original on 30 June 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  24. ^ OSORO, JOHN (12 July 2022). "High Court dismisses petition challenging Sakaja's Degree Certificate » Capital News". Capital News. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  25. ^ "The Star | Sakaja dragged into Sh7.8bn Kemsa PPE scandal". the-star.co.ke/. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
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