Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has landed under sharp scrutiny again, just days after City Hall became ungovernable when workers and staff staged protests over delayed salaries.
According to a report by People Daily on Saturday, August 9, 2025, Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu has laid bare massive irregularities, illegal expenditure, and flawed procurement in the governor’s flagship “Dishi Na County” school feeding programme.
The audit, covering the financial year ending June 2024, reveals that the county entered into a framework agreement worth Ksh1.2 billion to supply meals to 42 schools without subjecting the deal to competitive bidding as required under the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015.
The Auditor-General notes that payments amounting to Ksh842.3 million were made to the contracted organisation, yet key agreements were only signed months after the supplier had already begun delivering services.
Auditor General Nancy Gathungu during a past event. Photo: People Daily Source: X
The report further flags structural and operational shortcomings at several feeding centres. In some cases, kitchens were found without piped water, proper storage facilities, fencing, or recommended hygiene standards.
Other facilities had incomplete drainage systems, unpainted walls, cracks, and holes, raising concerns about the safety and quality of meals served to schoolchildren. Waste disposal was described as poor, and ventilation inadequate in many sites inspected.
Physical verification also showed that central kitchens were operating without proper coordination due to fragmented procurement of food items.
Additionally, the county awarded contracts worth Ksh57.9 million for the construction of food hubs and kitchens without seeking clearance from the Attorney-General, as the law requires.
Johnson Sakaja is serving food while wearing a Dishi Na County apron. Photo: Sakaja Johnson Source: Facebook
The report points to irregular commitments in favour of companies such as Wonder Feeds Phase One and Kathysurf Limited, totalling tens of millions of shillings, without supporting evidence of signed contracts.
Although county management has maintained that all disbursements were backed by payment vouchers, the Auditor-General insists that proper procurement and legal procedures must be followed to safeguard public funds.
The revelations come at a time when Sakaja’s administration is under mounting pressure to restore confidence in its handling of public resources.
The Auditor-General has called on the county government to address the irregularities, complete stalled facilities to required standards, and ensure future contracts are properly vetted before execution.
People Daily Newspaper
