SAM PROFESA

NI UCHUNGU SANA! Ndugu yangu Babu , umesema mtu yeyote. ananisupport ni Mwendawazimu? Calling me a joker will not erase my record of public service. However, telling Nairobi residents who support me to go for mental health check-ups is disrespectful and unacceptable. Mental health is not an insult, and seeking mental health support is not a weakness. I stand with every person who has experienced stigma, ridicule, or discrimination because of mental health challenges. Nairobi residents have the right to express their opinions and support the leaders of their choice without being demeaned. Political differences should never be an excuse to stigmatise or humiliate others. As leaders, we must be willing to answer questions about our public conduct and engage in honest discussions about our records. In January 2020, CCTV footage showed Babu Owino firing a gun at a Nairobi club, injuring DJ Evolve. The incident attracted widespread public attention, and the criminal case later ended in an acquittal in August 2023. These events should be discussed responsibly, with respect for the facts and the legal outcome. Watch the footage: youtu.be/qzv0qyJXRk8?si=0QZV… Babu Owino has also used the word “goon” when referring to himself. Kenyans are entitled to ask what he meant by that description and what standards of leadership they should expect from those seeking public office. Every aspirant should be open to scrutiny, and public debate should focus on our records, ideas, conduct, and plans for Nairobi rather than personal insults. I believe democracy is about giving the people the information and freedom they need to make informed choices. No leader should assume the right to decide whom Nairobi residents should support or ridicule them for their political preferences. The people must remain at the centre of our democracy. My commitment to Nairobi is rooted in public service, engagement with ordinary residents, and a determination to address the challenges facing our city. I want a Nairobi where every resident is treated with dignity, where healthcare is accessible, where our environment is clean, where young people have opportunities, and where every person can live with hope and security. I welcome scrutiny of my record, my ideas, and my vision. Public service demands accountability, and I believe leaders should be judged by their actions, their commitments, and how they respond to the needs of the people. I will continue to stand for respectful engagement, dignity for all residents, and a Nairobi where differences of opinion do not become grounds for humiliation or discrimination. Let every aspirant present their ideas. Let the people examine our records. Let us reject political insults, condemn mental health stigma, and demand a public debate worthy of Nairobi's people. My position is simple: Nairobi residents deserve respect, and their voices must always matter. Let the people decide. SIRI NI MOSIRIA ! One City. One Vision. A Better Nairobi