FACT CHECK: Was Governor Sakaja Ejected From Raila, Ruto China-bound Plane?

Rumours doing rounds on social media claim that Nairobi Governor Johnson Arthur Sakaja was last night ejected from a plane bound for China and carrying president Dr William Samoei Ruto and Raila Amollo Odinga among other dignitaries.

A check by DalanewsKE now reveals that there was indeed an incident arising from the issue of the Presidential entourage being bloated and therefore calling for eleventh-hour scale down.

Normally a protocol officer in the Office of the President would communicate to those invited to join the president on such tours, although lately a certain powerful operative in State House has taken upon himself the duty of arranging Presidential itineraries including the seating arrangements.

Not disregarding the possibility that the rumours doing the rounds could be sponsored by detractors of the governor who have gone to the pains of sponsoring X hashtags and inciting youth in slums to stone the Governor. Further not disregarding the fact that with the emergence of the broadbased government Sakaja remains without any meaningful constituency, the facts on the ground have proven that Johnson Arthur Sakaja has been overwhelmed by the duty of managing the city county.

So was Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja removed from the aircraft that transported President William Ruto and Azimio Leader Raila Odinga to the prestigious Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit in China.

ADVERTISEMENT

According to reports, the incident occurred hours prior to the departure of the two leaders for (FOCAC) in Beijing.

Sakaja, or his close associates are yet to confirm or issue a statement on whether the incident happened.

Ruto and Raila are set to attend the 9th FOCAC summit in Beijing from September 4-6, 2024.

The summit brings together African heads of state, Chinese leaders, and the African Union Commission to discuss and strengthen Sino-African relations.

During the summit, Ruto will have the honor of co-chairing a session on Pursuing High-Quality Belt and Road Initiative Cooperation: A Platform for Modernisation Featuring Planning, Building, and Benefiting Together at the High-Level Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) event.

Kenya is a crucial partner in China’s BRI, which has resulted in transformative infrastructure projects such as the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), Nairobi Expressway and various bypasses in Nairobi.

On the sidelines of FOCAC, President Ruto will hold bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss new areas of cooperation.

He will also engage with major Chinese corporations to pitch for increased investment in Kenya’s infrastructure development, healthcare, and technology sectors.

FOCAC

FOCAC is a multilateral platform established in 2000 to enhance dialogue and cooperation between China and African nations.

Initially proposed by Madagascar’s Foreign Minister, FOCAC aims to foster collective consultation and practical collaboration across various sectors, including trade, investment, and cultural exchange, involving all African states except Eswatini.

FOCAC serves as a mechanism for diplomatic engagement, enabling China to strengthen its influence in Africa while promoting mutual benefits.

It has evolved from a primarily development-focused forum to encompass a broader range of issues, including security and soft power initiatives, reflecting China’s strategic interests in the region.

The forum operates through a series of ministerial meetings held every three years, with significant gatherings in 2006, 2015, and 2018, where heads of state convene to discuss and set priorities for cooperation.

The presence of the Nairobi Governor in the presidential entourage would therefore have been of great significance to Nairobi County.

Fact is Sakaja did not accompany the president. He was also not forcefully ejected from the airplane.