Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has issued a fiery response to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, warning him to steer clear of Nairobi’s governance matters and accusing him of inciting division among traders. This sharp exchange follows Gachagua’s visit to the Marikiti market, where the Deputy President criticized Sakaja’s decision to relocate traders from Marikiti to the Kangundo Road Market. Gachagua, while addressing the traders in Swahili, promised to intervene on their behalf, claiming that Sakaja’s actions were a betrayal to the people who voted for him in the 2022 elections.
During his address, Gachagua expressed concern over the hardships faced by traders and accused Sakaja’s administration of oppressing the very people they had pledged to support. “Nimepata ujumbe vile mnahangaika, mnashurutishwa na siwezi kubali hayo,” Gachagua said, reaffirming the government’s promise not to allow businesses to be harassed. He emphasized the need for leaders to keep their promises and engage with the public respectfully, a sentiment that Sakaja did not take lightly.
In his strongly-worded rebuttal, Sakaja condemned Gachagua for stirring up tribal sentiments and using false information to agitate traders against his administration’s plans. He defended his government’s decision to relocate traders from hazardous road reserves, referencing a tragic incident in Kericho in June 2023, where 52 traders were killed in a road accident. Sakaja stressed that the safety of Nairobi’s traders was his top priority, even if that meant relocating them to safer areas.
“This morning, in a misinformed tribal diatribe, and while speaking in vernacular in the heart of our nation’s capital, you have chosen to use falsehoods to incite traders against the measures we are taking,” Sakaja stated, taking direct aim at Gachagua’s speech.
The Nairobi Governor explained that his administration had already engaged the market leadership and agreed on a way forward. He further emphasized that his government had no plans to shut down Marikiti market, clarifying that only selected produce would be delivered wholesale to the new markets built with taxpayers’ money. His objective, he insisted, was to ensure traders conducted their business in safer environments away from the dangers of road traffic.
In a cheeky response to Gachagua’s concerns, Sakaja suggested that if the Deputy President was so keen on defending the traders, he could offer them space outside his Harambee Avenue office. “However, if you have sufficient space outside your office on Harambee Avenue, I am sure they will be happy to display their wares and ply their trade in that safe environment,” Sakaja remarked, adding a touch of sarcasm.
Sakaja went on to urge the Deputy President to focus on national matters instead of meddling in the county’s issues, particularly in Nairobi, which he described as a cosmopolitan hub with its own governance structures. “A leader of your calibre should provide informed solutions and not stoke tribal disunity in our country,” Sakaja stated. “Nairobi is a cosmopolitan global hub that will operate in an orderly manner. I can assure you of that.”
The feud between the two leaders, which has been simmering for some time, reignited after Gachagua’s Marikiti visit. Their differences have become more pronounced, with Gachagua frequently criticizing Sakaja’s decisions regarding the city’s affairs, accusing him of deviating from Kenya Kwanza’s manifesto. In a previous interview, Gachagua emphasized the influence of the vote-rich Mt Kenya region in Nairobi’s economy and warned Sakaja against making decisions that negatively impact the region.
For his part, Sakaja has openly accused Gachagua of bullying and trying to dominate city leadership, framing the Deputy President as someone who disrespects other leaders. During a UDA Delegates Conference in June 2024, Sakaja pointedly remarked, “You can’t be bullying people for two years and when you are only mentioned for just one week, you start crying. Bullies are the biggest cowards.”
As the clash between the two powerful leaders continues, the future of Nairobi’s governance and the resolution of trader issues remains a critical concern. The tension between Sakaja and Gachagua, while highlighting differing political approaches, also underscores the broader challenge of managing Nairobi’s complex and diverse socio-economic landscape.
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