Sakaja Roasted Over His 1 Million Chapati Request

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has been on the receiving end over his 1 million Chapati making machine request to President William Ruto.

During a tour in Mathare, Nairobi County, on Tuesday, 11, 2025, Sakaja requested President William Ruto to assist in acquiring a machine that will help make chapatis for his school feeding program.

In his response, President Ruto committed to facilitating the acquisition of the machine.

“I have agreed to buy a machine that will be used in making chapati. Governor Sakaja look for a place where you can acquire a machine that can make one million chapatis,” Ruto said in his address to a roadside gathering. 

In his request, Sakaja argued that the ‘Chapati machine’ would help in his Dishi na County school feeding program that feeds at least 300,000 students in Nairobi.

Sakaja Criticised Over His Request

Leaders including Babu Owino (Embakasi East) and Caleb Amisi (Saboti), have publicly condemned this, noting that Nairobi needs more than just a chapati-making machine.

Babu Owino a member of parliament for Embakasi East has questioned the governor’s priorities when it comes to the County’s development.

“Of all the things that are disturbing Nairobi residents, Sakaja just asked for a chapati printing machine from the President,” Babu said.

The Embakasi East MP argued that there are more pressing issues in the county including a lack of proper drainage and poor roads.

He singled out the state of Nairobi’s health sector which he said was slowly deteriorating, and the insufficient water supply in the county. 

“He could not see that there are no jobs for the youth. How will Mama Chapati survive if her job is given to a machine?” Babu asked.

Also Read: Sakaja Forced to Clarify Dishi na County Millions After Questions

Caleb Amisi Reacts

On his part, Saboti Member of Parliament Caleb Amisi has criticized the governor for “having misplaced priorities”.

“A governor of the biggest regional capital city, whose GDP is more or equal to about 15 African countries, boasts of chapatis as his main economic activity and legacy project,” he said.

“He even requests the head of state to forget the underground speed train system, over pass roads around the city, water points across residences, but instead to buy him a brand new monstrous gigantic chapati-making machine to help him make 1,000,000 chapatis per minute,” he added.

Also Read: Sakaja Swings into Action, Sends Home Employees Over Garbage Drama 

Dishi Na County

The Dishi Na County program was launched with the groundbreaking of 10 kitchens across the county, with the first meal served on August 28, 2023.

In January 2024, the second phase of the program was launched, increasing the number of children receiving a hot meal from 80,000 to 184,000.

In March 2024, the county government broke ground for seven new kitchens which, once complete, are expected to increase the Dishi Na County feeding capacity to over 300,000 students in public primary schools and ECDEs across Nairobi County.

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