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Sakaja says Nairobi problems date back to 1992
08th March, 2026 11:38 PM
Johnson Sakaja, the current Governor of Nairobi County, has said that many of the challenges facing the capital today began decades ago, and to be exact, in 1992.
In an exclusive interview with a local TV station on Sunday, March 8, 2026, Sakaja assured Nairobi residents that his administration is doing what it can to help victims of recent flash floods and address long-standing infrastructure problems in the city.
Sakaja admits there is a problem
According to the governor, the current situation in Nairobi did not develop overnight but is the result of years of underinvestment and poor planning.
“There is no quick fix for this city; it is not possible. I was born in this city. A lot of what we are doing is catching up with how derelict it was from 1992,” Sakaja said.
Sakaja explained that Nairobi’s infrastructure was designed for a much smaller population than the city has today.
He noted that the drainage system, planning structures, and development controls were originally created when Nairobi had far fewer residents.
“The city is growing. We are dealing with a generational infrastructure deficit, drainage built for 500,000 people, planning and development control for a smaller city than we have today,” he said.
Despite the difficulties, the governor said his administration is determined to address the challenges facing the city.
“The reality is, we cannot just whine. We have to do it, and we are doing it. I am up to it, and we will do it, and we will get it done,” Sakaja stated.
Call for collaboration
Sakaja also stressed that solving Nairobi’s challenges requires cooperation between the county government, national government, and city residents.
He said leadership alone cannot fix the city without the support of all stakeholders.
“I chose to take this job knowing very well the daunting task that is ahead of us. You must have a collaborative effort for the city; there is no other formula,” Sakaja said.
The governor further revealed that some legal provisions that could help improve city management had existed for years but were never implemented.
“The case of Nairobi today, the provision that we just were able to use, has been available for the last 13 years but was never used,” he said.
Sakaja maintained that his administration remains committed to improving infrastructure and restoring order in the capital as the city continues to grow.
