Sakaja Copies Ruto In Marking Birthday In Special Way [PHOTOS]

Nairobi Governor, Johnson Sakaja borrowed a leaf from President William Ruto while celebrating his 38th birthday on Thursday, February 2.

The county boss was surprised by his deputy, James Njoroge Muchiri as well as Members of the County Assembly (MCA) and City Hall staffers at City Park in Nairobi.

For his special day, he planted 3,800 trees in line with the Kenya Kwanza administration's goal to increase tree coverage in Kenya.

"Deeply grateful to my Deputy Njoroge Muchiri our CECMs, CCOs, the entire city hall staff, the Nairobi Serena Hotel team, our partners and youth CBOs in all Sub Counties for joining me in planting trees throughout the city today. 

"For my 38th we are planting 3,800 trees today," he wrote on social media.

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja planting trees at Central Park on February 2, 2023. /FACEBOOK.SAKAJA JOHNSON

He was thereafter surprised with a cake which was also shared among the staffers as well as a bouquet of flowers that were presented to him by a representative from the Gor Mahia football team.

"Thank you very much the DG, CEC, Chief officers, members of the county assembly, and staff of Nairobi county for coming here. I do not like functions bout me and my team knows this. 

"You did not have to be here, there are many other things you would have been doing. It is not only about a birthday it is about an initiative," he added.

Earlier, he received a visit from a boy who approached him in Busia County and whom he promised to pay for his education after impressing him in January.

"Carlos Barasa the brave young boy who came up to me in Busia about his high school came by this morning to wish me a happy birthday as he heads out to High School. Thanks, Carlos and all the best as you go forward and conquer," Sakaja wrote.

In comparison, President Ruto marked his 56th birthday on December 21, 2022, by planting 56 trees in line with his age, while officially launching the national tree planting initiative.

"President ⁦William Ruto⁩ to launch the National Tree Growing & Restoration Campaign on his birthday; to plant 56 trees commensurate to his age, on his 56th birthday and kickstart the tree growing campaign that targets to mobilize the nation in growing 15 billion trees by 2032," State House spokesperson, Hussein Mohamed stated.

During the exercise that kicked off in Kajiado County, he also found a way of repaying his wife, First Lady Rachel Ruto after he lost a bet against her during the 2022 FIFA World Cup final when Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalties on December 18, 2022.

At the time, he revealed that he sat down with Mama Rachel and agreed that he would plant one million trees as part of his tree planting programme that he launched instead of having to use cash to settle the bet.

President William Ruto with First Lady Rachel Ruto and Environment CS Soipan Tuya during the launch of the Jaza Miti campaign in Kajiado County on December 21, 2022. /STATE HOUSE KENYA