‘You have my number!’ Sakaja responds to DP Gachagua on Wakulima market row

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has responded to a public appeal by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua following Thursday protests by Wakulima market traders who were opposing their planned relocation to Kangundo market.

This came after the traders called for the government to withdraw the notice citing that the Kangundo market has already been occupied, and that evicting them from Wakulima market would render them jobless.

Taking to his social media account, Gachagua reminded Sakaja of the promise given by the Kenya Kwanza team to uplift Kenyans' lives.

In particular, he cited the campaigns in Muthurwa in July 2022 when they promised never to disrupt the traders' economic activities.

"My younger brother Governor Johnson Sakaja, traders from Wakulima Market, Nairobi County, have called me and reminded me of the undertaking you and I jointly gave them in July 2022 as I campaigned for you in Muthurwa," Gachagua wrote.

"Kindly, do consider having a sitting with the leadership of the market to agree on whatever changes your government desires without adversely affecting their livelihoods." 

The DP acknowledged that the traders deserved to a chance to be heard as they gave the Governor their trust by voting for him.

"Kindly forgive me if I appear intrusive, but they are coming to me as I was your guarantor in matters of trust, please my brother," Gachagua noted.

Governor Sakaja, in a very short subsequent response, seemingly urged the Deputy President to phone him directly instead of attempting to reach him via social media.

“My elder brother H.E Rigathi Gachagua, You have my number,” wrote the Nairobi County boss, also on social media.

In early 2023, Gachagua and Sakaja were engaged in a public spat over the affairs of the city. The duo, however, later alleged that there was no bad blood between them.

Following the protests on Thursday, the Nairobi County government defended the plans to relocate the traders, emphasising on the need to address congestion, health hazards and waste management issues that affect the city.