Johnson Sakaja Biography
Arthur Johnson Koskei Sakaja is a young Kenyan politician and businessman who is the current Nairobi City County governor since 25 August 2022. He is a member of the ruling party, United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Mr. Sakaja previously served as the Nairobi senator from 2017 to 2022 by The National Alliance (TNA) party. Before that, he was a dominant Member of the National Assembly from 2013 to 2017 by the TNA party. He served as the Chairman of the TNA party from 2012 until September 9, 2016. When TNA joined other 12 political parties to form the Jubilee Coalition.
He is also the CEO of Arthur Johnson Consultants. This is a financial consultancy firm he set up during his fourth year in university.
Johnson Sakaja Age
Born on 2 February 1985 in Parklands, Nairobi, Kenya, Sakaja is 38 years old as of 2023. He celebrates his birthday on February 2nd, every year. His horoscope is Aquarius.
Johnson Sakaja’s Parents and siblings
Sakaja’s parents are John G. Sakaja and the late Emily Ayoti Kubasu.
His father worked at Firestone Company (now Sameer Africa) as a marketing manager. He loved sports.
Johnson’s mother was an employee of the Kenya Prison Service and a renowned short-distance athlete. She won several medals in the 1960s and 1970s. She became the East African champion in the 200-meter race, after winning a gold in the 1971 Championships. However, she died at an early age of 41 years while her son was only 9 years old.
Sakaja is the last and third born in his family. He has two elder sisters but not much is known about them.
Johnson Sakaja Family
Mr. Sakaja has a loving and adorable wife Beatrice Sakaja and two sons John Basil Sakaja and Tangai Sakaja. He has always kept his family life private.
Johnson Sakaja’s Educational background
Sakaja went to Aga Khan Nursery and Primary School until 1998. He then joined Lenana School from 1999 to 2002 for his secondary education. Sakaja thereafter enrolled in the University of Nairobi and later graduated with a degree in Actuarial Science.
His leadership skills were distinctive as early as during his school and campus days.
Johnson Sakaja Political Beginning
His interest in politics began during his time in university where he served as the vice-chairman of the Actuarial Students Association. Soon after he became the Student Organization of Nairobi University (SONU) Chairman.
Mr. Sakaja joined national politics in 2005 as a driver in the then president Mwai Kibaki’s political camp. He later became the director of Vijana Na Kibaki which was a youth lobby group under the 2007 Kibaki presidential campaign. Sakaja took the role of overseeing the counting of votes in Kibaki’s favor in the 2007 general elections.
Johnson Sakaja Political Career
In 2011, he was part of the team which formed The National Alliance (TNA) party. It was this party by which Uhuru Kenyatta won the presidency in 2013. At the age of 27 years in 2012, Sakaja became the TNA Chairman and consequently the world’s youngest leader of a major political party.
He was a nominated Member of the National Assembly 2013-2017 by the TNA. In parliament, he was a member of The House Business Committee. He was at the same time the Chairperson of the Joint Committee on National Cohesion and Equal Opportunity.
He was elected as the Nairobi City County Senator 2017-2022 by the Jubilee Party ticket. While in the Senate, he was the Kenya Young Parliamentarians Association Chairperson. This is a parliamentary organization that advocates for young leaders’ mentorship and youth empowerment. He also served as the Chairperson of the Labour and Social Welfare Committee.
In November 2021, Mr. Sakaja declared his interest in competing for the Nairobi City gubernatorial seat in the August 9, 2022, general elections. Amid allegations of uncertainty about his academic qualifications, IEBC cleared him to vie for the seat on June 7, 2022. Sakaja won with 699,392 votes against his close competitor Polycarp Igathe who garnered 573,516 votes. He was sworn in as the Nairobi City County governor on August 25, 2022. His deputy governor is James Njoroge Muchiri.
Johnson Sakaja Awards
- Jacob Well Award 2016 (Men Impacting Differently).
- African Achievers Award Changemaker of the Year 2016.
Johnson Sakaja’s Net worth
Sakaja’s net worth is estimated to be $5 million as of January 2023.