Senator Sakaja Pledges Free Lunch to All Public Schools If Elected Nairobi Governor

Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja has pledged to provide a free meal to school-going children if elected as the city’s governor in August.

Sakaja, who is eyeing the Nairobi gubernatorial seat on a UDA party ticket, says his administration will provide free lunch to learners in all public primary schools in the county.

The senator argued that the feeding program will help to address the problem of low student turnout in public schools across Nairobi.

"The first thing we are going to do is bring a school feeding program in Nairobi every child in public primary schools will get 650 grams of free lunch every day so that we keep our students in school," Sakaja said on Wednesday during the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party nomination certificate award ceremony.

On Tuesday, Sakaja named immediate former Absa Bank Chief Operating Officer (COO) James Njoroge as his running mate.

Njoroge was eyeing the UDA party ticket to contest for the Nyandarua governor’s seat but he lost to businessman Kiarie Badilisha in the just-concluded nominations.

Sakaja said Njoroge emerged as the most suitable deputy governor candidate among those interviewed for the position due to his stellar corporate experience. Others who were interviewed included tycoon Jimnah Mbaru, and Paul Kinuthia of Nice and Lovely.

“Unlike many deputy governors who just sit and have tea and read newspapers, he brings a wealth of experience from the corporate world. He perfectly fits the bill of what we want to do in Nairobi,” Sakaja told Nation.

Sakaja will face off with former Equity Group Chief Commercial Officer Polycarp Igathe, who is the Nairobi gubernatorial candidate for the Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya coalition.