Pressure mounts on Sakaja over academic credentials

Pressure is mounting on Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja to set the record straight on whether he is an Actuarial Science graduate from the University of Nairobi.

On June 7, the IEBCgave Sakaja a nod to contest for the Nairobi gubernatorial seat despite widespread reports that he does not have a University Degree; which is a requirement for gubernatorial candidates.

Now, reports have emerged from the University of Nairobi, stating that Sakaja is yet to graduate from the institution where he undertook the Actuarial Science programme up to year 2007/2008.

“It is true Sakaja was admitted to the university and was pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science, studied from first year up to fourth year, but is yet to graduate,” UoN communications director John Orindi told the Nation.

Additionally, the University has told the DCI that Sakaja’s transcripts are incomplete and have not been signed.

Days after his clearance by IEBC, other reports indicated that the Nairobi Senator presented a degree certificate from a Ugandan University for clearance by IEBC.

What followed was a letter purported to be from the IEBC, directed to Team University Dean of Students Ellen Katusabe. The commission termed fake the letter that questioned the legality of Sakaja’s degree.  

Even as pressure mounts on Sakaja to come clean on the academic credentials, the aspiring Nairobi Governor has termed the questions surrounding him as ‘propaganda’.

"Next they will say that I wasn't born. Forget propaganda; sell your candidate. Our march is unstoppable, our faith is unshakeable and our victory is inevitable," Sakaja said in an apparent response to allegations surrounding his academic papers.

Sakaja is contesting for the Nairobi gubernatorial on a UDA ticket, with Absa bank Chief Operating Officer James Njoroge Muchiri as his running mate.