I'm not interested in being Nairobi Governor - Sifuna

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has disputed claims that his continued criticism of Governor Johnson Sakaja are aimed at dethroning him in the next election.

Speaking in an interview on Thursday, the outspoken lawmaker reiterated that he has no interest in running for the Nairobi governorship position, and is only doing his Senate oversight job.

“I have seen newspapers claiming that because we are doing our jobs we have begun early campaigns. When Sifuna goes to Mbagathi to ascertain whether there are drugs, that doesn’t mean that I am running for Governor,” he told Spice FM.

“I have said publicly that I am not interested in being Governor of Nairobi; I am happy with the job I have been given as the Senator.”

According to Sifuna, his criticism against the county boss is not ill-intended but meant to hold him accountable on behalf of Nairobians.

He slammed Sakaja over constant snubbing of Senate summons saying the Governor has an obligation to his electorates but is instead disrespecting them.

The legislator also defended his media remarks stating that if Sakaja snubs Senate meetings, then he (Sifuna) will be forced to take the matter to the public.

“It is not a witch hunt against anybody when I request that so and so appears before a certain committee, we don’t call Governors before the Senate to ask them their favourite TikTok filters…No, we are there to discuss serious issues. If you impede my oversight duty by refusing to show up to summons of the committees, I will do it on the media. It is that simple,” said Sifuna.

“At the Energy Committee, we summoned Governor Sakaja over the Mradi fire incident, that is not a light matter, it is something you would think everybody would prioritise.”

He added: “We have spoken to every agency involved, NEMA, EPRA and Energy CS Chirchir also made time to come, the missing link is the Governor of Nairobi.”