Public anger is rising in Nairobi because many contractors say they have waited for years to be paid by the county government, and a recent case has brought this problem into sharp focus.
The issue has placed Governor Johnson Sakaja under heavy criticism, with residents questioning how county finances are being managed when people who delivered services are left struggling.
The discussion intensified after a Facebook post shared in February 2025 by Citizen TV Kenya. The post reported the death of a contractor whose family said he fell into depression after waiting for Ksh. 36 million owed by the Nairobi County government.
According to the story, the long delay in payment caused serious financial stress, which the family believes affected his mental health and contributed to his death. The post attracted strong public attention, receiving thousands of reactions and many comments from concerned citizens.
In the comments section, sadness quickly turned into anger. Many people said the case reflected what they have been experiencing for years. Some shared stories of unpaid work dating back to 2021 and 2022, including garbage collection and other services.
Others claimed that payments only move when bribes are involved, using phrases like “oiling the process” to describe what they believe is happening inside county offices.
While these claims are allegations from the public and not proven in court, they show how little trust many residents have in the system.
Several commenters said working with the county government feels like wasted effort because payments take too long or never arrive.
A few people also mentioned that some companies have multiple directors, which can create disputes over who should receive the money, further slowing the process. Even so, many still placed direct blame on the county leadership, mentioning Sakaja by name and holding him responsible as the head of the administration.
These complaints are not new. Since Sakaja became governor in 2022, there have been repeated concerns about delayed payments to contractors, suppliers, and workers.
Critics say this points to weak financial planning and poor prioritization. When contractors are not paid, services suffer. Garbage may go uncollected, roads remain unfinished, and projects stall.
This affects daily life in the city and makes residents feel that their taxes are not being used properly.
Sakaja has defended his leadership in interviews and public statements. He has highlighted achievements such as issuing tens of thousands of bursary cheques to students and expanding school feeding programs.
In early 2026, he spoke about distributing over 43,000 bursary cheques and supporting education for needy families. He has also said the county is working with the national government to improve services like garbage collection and road repairs.
He has denied claims that he plans to hand over county powers, calling such reports false and saying any real change would require legal approval.
Despite these explanations, pressure has not eased. In February 2026, many Members of County Assembly skipped his annual address, showing political tension within the county.
Sakaja has accused powerful individuals linked to the national government of trying to take over city functions, while he insists he is defending devolution.
The death of the contractor has added a human face to the payment crisis. It reminds people that behind unpaid bills are families dealing with stress, debt, and loss.
