The debate over Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja’s priorities intensified in the Senate on Thursday, March 14, as Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale strongly criticized the governor’s recent focus on the school feeding programme. Khalwale took issue with Sakaja’s pledge to introduce chapatis into school meals, arguing that Nairobi’s leadership should prioritize economic growth and modern infrastructure instead.
During the Senate proceedings, Khalwale called out Sakaja for what he termed as misplaced priorities. He stressed that the governor’s role should be centered on opening up Nairobi’s economy rather than focusing on feeding schoolchildren. “The Governor of Nairobi should not be talking about chapatis,” Khalwale stated. “He should be talking about overpasses and underpasses. That is the future. The people you will employ in those areas will feed their children.”
His remarks came in response to Sakaja’s visit to St. Teresa Girls’ Secondary School in Mathare on March 11. While addressing students about the Dishi na County school feeding initiative, Sakaja asked for their feedback on the programme. When students requested that chapatis be added to the menu, Sakaja promised to consult President William Ruto about acquiring a chapati-making machine to meet their demand.
The proposal quickly became a hot topic of discussion, drawing a wave of criticism from the public. Many Kenyans took to social media to mock the plan, questioning the government’s priorities in the face of pressing issues such as unemployment, infrastructure gaps, and insecurity in Nairobi. Critics argued that investing in large-scale chapati production was not a meaningful solution to the city’s larger socio-economic challenges.
Despite the backlash, President Ruto and Governor Sakaja remained unfazed. On Thursday, March 14, they were seen at Toi Primary School in Kibra, where they personally served chapatis to students. Their visit appeared to be a direct response to the criticism, signaling their commitment to the initiative regardless of public opinion.
This is not the first time Khalwale has taken issue with Sakaja’s leadership. Earlier in January 2024, the senator criticized the Nairobi governor over the worsening transport situation in the city and rising cases of mugging within the Central Business District (CBD). He argued that Nairobi’s administration should focus on improving public transport, enhancing security, and facilitating economic opportunities rather than engaging in populist initiatives.
As the debate rages on, the contrast in perspectives remains clear—while Sakaja and Ruto defend their focus on social welfare through school feeding, Khalwale and other critics insist that Nairobi’s leadership must prioritize long-term economic and infrastructural development.
Source:https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/109936-senator-boni-khalwale-calls-out-sakaja-over-misplaced-priorities?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=AK&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2y1OBCenff3IoEs0AccTb7PBeZL2UWxbcFMyRY8WhlCj2Gfm80XfRSC4U_aem_WoRksadNIvOPZspd0pbtog
