Embakasi East Member of Parliament, Babu Owino, has strongly criticized Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja for requesting a chapati-making machine from President William Ruto on March 11.
In a statement shared on his official X account on March 12, Owino expressed his disappointment, arguing that Sakaja should have prioritized more pressing issues affecting Nairobi residents instead of focusing on chapatis.
“With all the serious challenges Nairobians are facing, Sakaja went ahead and asked the President for a chapati-making machine that can produce one million chapatis a day. This is a misplaced priority,” Owino stated.
He questioned why the governor did not take the opportunity to highlight critical concerns such as Nairobi’s struggling healthcare system, poor drainage, and deteriorating road conditions.
The MP also pointed out that issues like water shortages and unemployment should have been top of Sakaja’s agenda instead of a chapati machine.
“Sakaja failed to address the real problems Nairobi residents are dealing with. He ignored the poor drainage system that causes flooding whenever it rains, he overlooked the terrible state of our roads, and he did not mention the dire condition of our health facilities,” Owino emphasized.
“He also didn’t see that many homes lack a steady supply of water, and he failed to advocate for job opportunities for the thousands of unemployed youth, men, and women in the city,” he added.
The Embakasi East MP further argued that introducing a large-scale chapati-making machine could harm small-scale traders who depend on making and selling chapatis to earn a living.
This controversy arose after Governor Sakaja accompanied President Ruto on a tour of development projects in Nairobi County.
During a visit to St Teresa Girls’ High School, Sakaja asked the President to provide a chapati-making machine to enhance the Dishi na County programme—a school feeding initiative aimed at providing meals to thousands of students in Nairobi.
Sakaja engaged with the students, asking them about their experience with the feeding programme and what they would like to be added to the menu. When the students expressed their love for chapati, Sakaja turned to President Ruto and made the request.
“Do you enjoy the Dishi na County meals? How is the food? What would you like us to add? Chapati? Alright, I will speak to the President so that we can get a chapati-making machine,” Sakaja told the students.
In response, President Ruto welcomed the idea and assured Sakaja that the government would support it.
“I have heard your request, and I will fulfill it. Governor, go ahead and find a machine that can produce chapatis in large quantities, and we will incorporate it into the Dishi na County programme,” Ruto said.
While Sakaja and Ruto see the move as a way to improve the school feeding initiative, Owino and others argue that there are far more urgent priorities that should be addressed first.
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