Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja and political analyst Prof Herman Manyora on Monday engaged in a heated twitter exchange over use of chopper to move around the country.
On Saturday, Sakaja used a private chopper to attend KICOSCA, which was hosted in Kisumu.
However the exchange in Twitter started when scholar Njoki Wamai said public servants should be banned from using helicopters for their business and instead use public transport, which is way cheaper.
She shared the picture of Sakaja, who was in the company of Nairobi Speaker Ken Ng'ondi alighting from the chopper .
Manyora responded to Wamai's post claiming that the reason why Sakaja used the chopper was to show might and power.
"How will he show us that he’s a big man? And show the world how stupid we are," he said.
Governor Sakaja responded saying he funded the private chopper, noting that it was not public funds.
"Why are you angry at how I spend my money? Did someone hurt you? My personal travel is paid for privately not by public funds," he replied.
Not taking the governor's response, Manyora said the chopper is expensive, doubting Sakaja's defence.
Sakaja however, said he is not in office to loot public funds, claiming he is the number one defender of public servants.
He further said last year he declined funds for a governor's residence and new vehicles.
"In other words you doubt my ability to afford it? Anyway Prof, please don’t always assume the worst first. I wouldn’t unnecessarily use public funds for such travel. I even declined to purchase new official vehicles for myself and Sh500 million for a governor’s residence,"Sakaja added.
In October, 2022 Sakaja said he is not ready to make use of a luxurious house and cars while city residents are in need of services.
The county boss said he was given a budget by the county government of Nairobi to purchase vehicles but he rejected it.
“Even before I was elected governor, I owned vehicles and I don't understand why they want me to buy one,” Sakaja said.
