No Degree Vs Quitting- Cracking Sakaja vs Igathe Nairobi Gubernatorial Debate

Nairobi Senator, Johnson Sakaja and Polycarp Igathe played out an entertaining Nairobi gubernatorial debate on Monday, July 11 which featured the two heavyweights throwing verbal spears at each other. 

The debate held at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) is one of three debates this month, and this contest had already offered a taste of what was to come in the next two. 

It all started with Igathe arriving oddly early before the debate began and Sakaja arriving 15 minutes into the main action that kicked off at 8 pm. 

Nairobi senator, Johnson Sakaja and Polycarp Igathe during the Nairobi gubernatorial debate on July 11, 2022. /TWITTER

"The starting time was clear to all candidates and the event must proceed as scheduled. His slot will remain open for Johnson Sakaja," NTV's Mark Masai, who was the moderator of the debate, explained.

While explaining the reason for his lateness, Sakaja revealed that he wanted to give Igathe a head start before proceeding to fry him in front of millions watching at home...for the majority of the debate. 

"Well, my opponent is used to head starts, so I wanted to give him an opportunity, but there is no need to delve deeper into that, whether it is from government, but I look forward to a good debate," he indicated. 

The moderators went straight into the action and questioned Sakaja if he had the qualifications to run for governor, that is having a degree from a recognised university. Sakaja affirmed that he has a degree from Team University in Uganda.

Igathe used every chance to roast Sakaja regarding the credibility of his academic papers, which have been a hot nationwide conversation both offline and online.

He claimed that he toppled two other candidates to clinch the Jubilee party ticket, noting that he did not have a degree. 

"Within the party, there were two other people, the ones who were running against me within the party also did not have degrees, I beat them," he said. 

However, Sakaja responded by exposing how his opponent resigned as Deputy Governor, just six months into the job, further claiming that he could not stand by former governor Mike Sonko during his difficult times. 

"If you stuck in office Governor Sonko would not have been impeached. If you stuck in office, maybe you would be the incumbent governor. 

"This city needs resilience, you need to be tough. You cannot say you betrayed, how many votes did you say you guys got?" he posed. 

Igathe went back to the degree topic and once again questioned his academic credentials, stating that they are false 

"I'll tell you what is not integrity...is uttering false documents and then standing here and saying I have integrity," Igathe said.  

"Go to the EACC website and check what Sakaja cited as his degree in 2017... it is a public document, and then look at the degree he say is is today, we don't know who he is, is your name really Sakaja?"  

Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja arrives for the gubernatorial debate on July 11, 2022. /TWITTER

Sakaja was even ruthless by calling out his opponent for being sponsored by the State to vie for the highest seat in the capital. 

"You cannot force individuals, DCCs, assistant chiefs...the meeting at St. Georges primary school we know all these things, I can table this evidence," he said. 

Igathe defended by indicating that he joined politics in March 2017 and has been part of the Jubilee party...but many signs pointed out that the gubernatorial hopeful was powerless to match Sakaja, having caused a frenzy with his viral service delivery to Nairobians.

Other key highlights

Sakaja on Igathe being weak: "I am tickled about Igathe talking about push coming to shove and me not making a decision. In four-five months, Igathe quit on the people of Nairobi, which should have come in the question of integrity

"When you talk about public trust at the expense of private convenience, that is a question that remains unanswered. Sonko would have not faced impeachment if you had stayed in office. In fact, if you had stayed, there would be no NMS in Nairobi. The reason we have NMS is that Igathe could not stand the heat in the kitchen, he ran away."

To which Igathe responded: "I did not quit on the citizens of Nairobi. I fell on my sword and failed to earn the trust of those I was with. But I have come back to run the race and win so that I can serve the people and build a better city."

After Sakaja duelling with debate moderators: "Ukosefu Wa nidhamu ni tabia ya watu hawajamaliza shule! (The lack of discipline is a habit common amongst school dropouts)

Sakaja on Igathe switching jobs: "My deputy governor Njoroge Muchiri, who has promised not to resign, has had a proper corporate career not two-year stints here and there."

Sakaja's lesson to Igathe on how Nairobi life is: “Igathe ran away from the mandate given to him by Kenyans; if you cannot withstand the heat of a deputy governor, you can't run Nairobi City County. This city needs resilience. You need to be tough.”

Igathe on Sakaja on being late: "Karibu mdosi, tuta-sort traffic (welcome, boss. We will deal with Nairobi's traffic jams)

Polycarp Igathe and Johnson Sakaja share a moment after the Nairobi gubernatorial debate on July 11, 2022. /TWITTER