Cherargei calls out Sakaja for inaction as floods hit parts of Nairobi
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has harshly criticized Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja for his handling of the city’s infrastructure, particularly the drainage network, following widespread flooding in various parts of Nairobi on the night of Tuesday, April 8, 2025.
Speaking in the Senate on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, Cherargei accused the governor of prioritizing legal fees over critical development issues, highlighting the city’s worsening state of disrepair.
He expressed concerns about the city’s financial management, claiming that while funds are being allocated to legal matters, vital infrastructure projects, like drainage, remain neglected.
“When you look at Nairobi City County, Madam Speaker, the pending bill in legal fees is Ksh21 billion. They have paid Ksh2.1 billion. Governor Sakaja is doing nothing, and yesterday the whole city was flooded. Within two hours, the poor development record of Governor Sakaja had been exposed because there were floods,” Cherargei said.
He went on to recount the challenges faced by Nairobi residents during the April 8, flooding, highlighting that many struggled to access their homes due to flooded roads.
“I know Madam Speaker, you don’t stay outside beyond six, but for some of us who operate at night, we are told that we had problems accessing our houses because most of the roads were flooded. Poor drainage network, poor development… but the governor of Nairobi wants to pay Ksh1.3 billion for legal fees. Which is a priority?” he continued.
The senator argued that while legal obligations must be addressed, they should not come at the expense of public services, especially during the rainy season when flooding risks are high.
“Therefore, Madam Speaker, we must be very careful in this country. I would not be surprised if Nairobi City County pays the pending legal bills but cannot fix the poor drainage network, especially during this rainy season under the poor development record of Governor Sakaja,” Cherargei added.
Similar criticism
Cherargei’s remarks echo concerns raised earlier this year by Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, who also criticized the state of Nairobi’s drainage and its impact on livelihoods.
In a January 30, 2025, post on his X account, Babu shared the story of a bodaboda rider whose motorcycle engine was submerged in floodwaters, potentially costing him his only source of income.
“My heart pains when I see this Bodaboda rider who depends on this machine to earn a living; to pay school fees for his kids, to buy food, to pay monthly rent and to pay for other expenses,” the legislator wrote on his X account.
He noted that many such riders make only about Ksh200 per day after fuel expenses, making it nearly impossible to recover from such losses.
“This man only makes approximately 200/- per day after purchasing fuel yet his motorbike won’t operate again because the engine is submerged in water as a result of poor drainage system in Nairobi which is brought about by poor Leadership,” Babu added.
He went on to question the management of the city’s Ksh42 billion budget, arguing that the county government has failed to invest in critical infrastructure.
“We have a total budget of 42 Billion shillings yet the Governor does nothing, only good at excuses. #Nairobi Inasink,” he wrote.
