'Keep Nairobi out of your tribal issues,' Governor Sakaja fires at DP Gachagua

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has clapped back at Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, warning him to keep off the city’s state of affairs.

This comes after Gachagua on Friday toured the Marikiti market and addressed the traders, promising to address their plight.

He criticised the Nairobi Governor for the decision to evict the traders from Marikiti market to Kangundo market.

The DP reiterated that Sakaja had a promise to keep in uplifting the lives of the people who voted for him in the 2022 elections. 

 "Nimepata ujumbe vile mnahangaika, mnashurutishwa na siwezi kubali hayo. Mimi na rais tuliwaahidi ya kwamba tukipata serikali hakuna siku mtahangaika na kwa hivyo nasikitika sana nikiskia serikali ya kaunti ikiwanyanyasa nyinyi," Gachagua said.

"Niliwabembeleza mpatie kura Sakaja na tukakubaliana ya kwamba wafanyibiashara watapata nafasi ya kufanya kazi yao. Naomba kwa heshima, wale tumepatiwa nafasi ya uongozi, tukumbuke wakubwa wetu ni Wakenya na hakuna siku tutawageuka. Niliuliza gavana mketi chini muwe na maelewano kwa kuwa wananchi ni watu wa kuskizwa. Nilimwuliza kwa heshima asiwe mtu wa kugeuka watu waliomchagua."

Sakaja, who didn't take too kindly to the DP's remarks, responded in a strongly-worded statement, condemning Gachagua for inciting traders against the measures that his administration was taking.

He noted that the county government had a plan to ensure that the traders who sold goods on the road reserve would no longer be endangered, referencing the June 2023 incident in Kericho that saw 52 traders killed in a road tragedy.

"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," the Governor noted.

In response to Gachagua's plea to hold a meeting with the market leadership, Sakaja confirmed that they held consultations last week and agreed on the way forward.

In a cheeky remark, the Governor told Gachagua to host the traders outside his Harambee Avenue office if he so desired.

“My government has no plan to relocate the Marikiti market. Selected produce will be delivered wholesale to the other markets we have built using taxpayers' money. What we will not allow are traders endangering their lives by selling their wares on the roadside. They will move to Kangundo Road Market," Sakaja said. 

"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."

Further, the Nairobi County boss noted that the DP should not engage in county matters and instead focus on other national issues facing him.

"A leader of your calibre should provide informed solutions and not stoke tribal disunity in our country, Nairobi is a cosmopolitan global hub that will operate in an orderly manner. I can assure you of that. I know you are dealing with other weighty and impending political issues. Keep the people of Nairobi out of it," Sakaja stated.

Gachagua's visit to marikiti market has reignited the perceived feud between the two, who have for a long time been differing over the county's state of affairs.

In the past, Gachagua warned Sakaja of the power that the vote-rich Mt Kenya region holds and its contribution to the city's economy. He has also warned him against making decisions that don't embody Kenya Kwanza's manifesto.  

"Ever since we elected Sakaja, he embarked on decisions that are not in line with our manifesto.These decisions are punishing our people. He has abandoned all the plans that we had for Nairobi," the DP said in a past interview on Inooro TV. 

On the other hand, Sakaja has not held back in the duel, terming the DP as a bully who doesn't respect leaders. 

"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. You even went to the forest; I don’t know where. If you want respect, respect other leaders,” Sakaja said during a UDA Delegates Conference at Bomas in June 2024.