By Liz Okweni
More than 1,000 women from across Nairobi, under the umbrella “Daughters of the Mountain,” on Friday paid a surprise Valentine’s Day visit to the office of Johnson Sakaja in a show of appreciation for his administration’s flagship school feeding programme, Dishi na County.
Led by their Patron Diana Kamande, the women lauded the initiative, introduced nearly two years ago, saying it has significantly eased the burden on mothers by ensuring school-going children receive meals across the city. According to the group, more than 323,000 learners in all 17 sub-counties are currently benefiting from the programme.
“We are here to celebrate this Valentine’s Day by celebrating Governor Sakaja for taking the load of food off the shoulders of mothers. Now our children can go to school without worrying about meals. It has never happened before, and now it is happening — it is worth celebrating,” Diana reiterated.
Push for Widows BillBeyond the celebrations, the women presented a proposed Widows Bill, urging the Governor to support its adoption in the County Assembly. They noted that the legislation would address the social and economic challenges faced by widows in Nairobi.
“You have done us well, and we are confident you will champion this Widows Bill so that their rights and welfare are fully protected,” she added.Development and Employment ApplaudedThe group further pointed to ongoing development initiatives under Sakaja’s administration, including employment opportunities for youth.They highlighted that over 4,000 young men and women have been engaged under the Green Army programme to help clean and beautify the city. The construction of modern markets and other infrastructure projects were also cited as evidence of steady progress.
The women urged Nairobi residents to evaluate leaders based on their development record rather than ethnic considerations, arguing that meaningful projects require time and consistent support to mature.
Governor Reaffirms CommitmentIn his remarks, Governor Sakaja thanked the women for their Valentine’s Day gesture and reaffirmed his commitment to fulfilling his campaign pledges.He reflected on his political journey dating back to the era of Mwai Kibaki and later service under Uhuru Kenyatta, emphasizing unity and inclusive service delivery.
“I will continue pushing forward to deliver services to all residents without any form of discrimination whatsoever,” Sakaja reiterated.The Governor was accompanied by County Secretary Godfrey Akumali, Chief Officer for Trade Lydia Mathia, and Receiver of Revenue Tiras Njoroge, who echoed the call for unity and performance-based leadership.
The “Daughters of the Mountain” announced plans to convene a broader public forum focusing on development and political issues affecting Nairobi residents, particularly women, in a bid to deepen dialogue and civic engagement across the county.
