Sakaja: I have no differences with Gachagua, he is a respectable man

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has refuted claims of a dispute between him and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Speaking during an interview on Saturday, Sakaja said DP Gachagua is his senior and described him as a good leader who should be respected.

“I have no differences with the deputy president. He is a senior man who is respected, he has been in politics, and even though he got us by politics after us, he came in and became popular. He is a good leader who should be respected,” he said.

Sakaja added that he respects Gachagua as a leader.

“I've never spoken ill of him. I have never mentioned him. I respect him as our leader, vice president, and deputy party leader,” said Sakaja.

There have been claims of friction between DP Gachagua and the Nairobi governor over his recent bid for the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party chairmanship in Nairobi.

The governor previously dismissed claims that he was asked to drop his bid by some of the ruling party's officials.

During an interview on April 25, Sakaja maintained that he is still in the race, and he shall not succumb to pressure.

"I'm not a leader who succumbs to pressure. If there was pressure, I would not have been governor of Nairobi and I don't know where they assume it is coming from... I have heard the rumours," he said speaking to Inooro TV.

He announced his bid on April 19 during a meeting with UDA Members of the County Assembly (MCAs).

"I want you to get this from the horse's mouth; I'm vying for the Nairobi chairmanship position in the United Democratic Alliance party," Sakaja said then.