I was in Diani: Sakaja refutes claims of hiring goons during anti-gov't protests

During a press briefing outside Parliament, Sakaja on Thursday explained that he had returned to the city following a retreat alongside his cabinet to restructure county operations for the new financial year. 

He criticised politicians who sought to gain political mileage by invoking his name as one of those who allegedly planned violence. 

The governor called for politicians to embrace his mantra "siasa safi" whereby all opinions are considered regardless of one's affiliation. 

"I saw a clip on Tuesday on alleged goons coming out of City Hall which I have asked to be investigated. We have been in the Coast with our cabinet for the whole week just doing our end-of-year retreat and replanning for the new financial year which ends in June. I would hate it that something would have been planned from City Hall," he said. 

"When you're in such a situation, the first casualty is the truth. Opportunistic politicians try to bring themselves into a move to taint their opponents. When somebody tries to claim that I was meeting people to plan violence at City Hall while I was in Diani from Sunday and I've come back this morning. I've always believed in siasa safi and freedom of expression even when it's not in my political side of the equation."

A section of City Hall was set on fire during the second week of anti-government protests. The building currently houses Governor Sakaja's office. Eyewitnesses claimed that angry youths chased away county askaris outside the building which allowed them to gain entry and set the office on fire. 

This happened shortly after protestors had gained entry into Parliament buildings on Tuesday, June 25.