Sakaja: Someone called me, promised to end this drama if I withdraw from governor race
Embattled Nairobi gubernatorial aspirant Johnson Sakaja has continued with his onslaught against the 'deep state' over an alleged plot to lock him out of the August general election.
Speaking during a church service at Jesus Winner Ministry in Roysambu, Nairobi, on Sunday, June 19, the Nairobi Senator claimed that some unnamed senior politicians in the country want him to pull out of the race.
Sakaja, who is under investigation for allegedly forging his degree certificate, claimed he had been asked to withdraw from the contest with an assurance that he would be cleared of any wrongdoing.
"I was called on Friday and told that if I withdraw from the race, I will be a free man," Sakaja told the congregants.
"Do you want me to pull out of the contest or keep fighting?" he posed.
The lawmakers went on to dismiss claims that his degree from Team University is fake.
He assured the residents that he will be on the ballot on August 9, further insisting that no amount of intimidation or arrests will make him betray the people he looks forward to serving as governor.
"I am not bothered by their threats to arrest me. I hear they are planning to arrest me on Monday but they won't succeed because I know my papers are genuine. They have no case against me. We shall stand strong and serve the people of Nairobi," he added.
The National Police Service confirmed on Saturday that it had commenced investigations against Sakaja and his Machakos counterpart Wavinya Ndeti to ascertain the authenticity of their degree certificates.
Earlier, the Commission for University Education (CUE) said it had received material information concerning Sakaja's Bachelor of Science in Management degree from Team University that put doubts on the authenticity of the degree certificate.
Sakaja, however, dismissed the move, further alleging that CUE Chairman Prof Chacha Nyaigotti Chacha, had 'been coerced and intimidated' to illegally revoke recognition of accreditation that had been properly issued by Ugandan authorities.
He claimed that the state sent officials from the Kenyan High Commission in Uganda to intimidate Team University staff as well as that country’s National Council for Higher Education.
"The university has remained firm and refused to be intimidated. So has the Council for Higher Education in Uganda. The only institution that has succumbed to this intimidation is the Kenyan CUE," he added.
"It is also instructive that the letter by CUE has been written and signed by the chairman on the CEO’s letterhead! We are also aware that the commission did not meet to make this decision and it was done by the Chairman under duress."
Four petitioners had moved to court to challenge Sakaja's clearance by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) alleging that he never graduated from Team University. The matter is pending before IEBC's disputes tribunal.
If cleared to run, Sakaja will face off with Azimio la Umoja - One Kenya coalition's Polycarp Igathe, who is touted as his main challenger.
