Senator Khalwale Criticizes Governor Sakaja Over Chapati Promise, Calls for Modern Infrastructure
The controversy surrounding Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja and President William Ruto’s pledge to introduce chapatis in schools escalated to the Senate on Thursday, March 14.
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale took issue with Sakaja, accusing him of focusing on trivial matters instead of addressing Nairobi’s pressing infrastructural challenges.
Khalwale Slams Sakaja’s Priorities
During a Senate session, Khalwale argued that the country should be pushing for modern developments such as electric trains instead of discussing chapati-making machines. According to him, Nairobi’s leadership should focus on projects that will open up the economy and create sustainable jobs.
“Governors, you are not doing us a favour,” Khalwale remarked. “I want to address the Governor of Nairobi specifically. It seems like you have lost focus. Your job is not to feed people; it is to drive economic growth.”
He further criticized Sakaja for his involvement in the recent school feeding discussions with President Ruto. “The Governor of Nairobi should not be talking about chapatis.
He should be talking about underpasses, overpasses, and other critical infrastructure.
That is the future. When you develop these projects, you will create jobs, and the people employed will be able to feed their families,” he added.
The Controversial Chapati Pledge
The debate stemmed from Sakaja’s visit to St. Teresa Girls’ Secondary School in Mathare on Tuesday, March 11, where he engaged with students about the county’s school feeding program, Dishi na County.
When students expressed their desire to have chapatis included in their meals, Sakaja responded enthusiastically.
“Do you enjoy Dishi na County? How is the food, and what would you like us to add? Chapati?” Sakaja asked. “Let me speak to the President so he can get us a chapati-making machine.”
In response, President Ruto and Sakaja pledged to fund a machine capable of producing up to one million chapatis daily for the program.
However, this announcement sparked public outrage, with Kenyans taking to social media to ridicule the idea, questioning why the government was prioritizing chapatis over more pressing economic issues.
Ruto and Sakaja Defy Critics
Despite the criticism, Ruto and Sakaja have continued to defend their initiative. On Thursday, the two leaders visited Toi Primary School in Kibra Constituency, where they personally served chapatis to students, seemingly unbothered by the backlash.
This is not the first time Khalwale has called out Sakaja over governance issues. In January 2024, he criticized the Nairobi Governor for failing to address the city’s worsening transport chaos and rising cases of mugging in the Central Business District (CBD).
As the debate continues, many Kenyans are left questioning whether the government’s priorities align with the pressing needs of the people or if leaders are more focused on public relations stunts rather than long-term development solutions.
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