Gachagua,Sakaja row escalates

The recent utterances by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua directed at Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja for allegedly persecuting businesspeople from Mt Kenya have now turned out to be the point of a clash between Central and Western regions.

This battle for Nairobi has exposed the silent rift between the country’s second in command and prime cabinet secretary Mr Mudavadi as leaders from Mt Kenya and Western regions exchanged bitterly in public.

The remarks by the DP against nairobi governor johnson sakaja attracted sharp criticism from lawmakers from the Western region who have asked him to keep off the affairs of Nairobi.

Bumula MP Jack Wamboka, who was elected on the Democratic Action Party of Kenya said that immediately after MPs resume from recess on February 13, he would give notice of an impeachment motion.

“I have collected requisite signatures and immediately we resume next month, I will give the notice of the impeachment motion. I have not been sent by anyone. We cannot have a leader who is disenfranchising all Kenyans. Musalia is behaving better than the DP,”Said Hon Wamboka

Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera also faulted the DP and asked him to let Mr Sakaja deliver on his promises to the people of Nairobi.

“Sakaja was elected to an office by the people of Nairobi; they expect much from him; therefore, the DP should present his manifesto to the people of Nairobi.“Lugari mp said.

Siaya governor James Orengo criticised Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for his recent remarks targetting Nairobi governor, Johnson Sakaja.Gachagua publicly opposed Sakaja’s plan to bar matatus from accessing the Central Business District (CBD).

According to Orengo, as outlined in the Constitution, the DP has no right to authorise any reforms in the county government. The governor spoke on Tuesday, January 3, in Matungu, Kakamega, during the memorial service of George Wackoyah’s father. Additionally, Orengo accused Gachagua of overstepping his powers stating, “Sakaja can only talk to the President, not his deputy.”

Furthermore, Kakamega governor Fernandes Barasa noted that it was not in the jurisdiction of the DP to interfere with Nairobi county.The ODM governor urged the DP to give Sakaja an opportunity to serve the people of Nairobi as he sees fit.

Their Mt Kenya counterparts have come out guns blazing to defend Mr Gachagua, saying he has a right to defend the community.they told off their Western counterparts for the impeachment threats vowing to defend him while describing the threat as ‘hot air.’

The leaders, led by Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, on Tuesday, January 3, stated that they would not allow any lawmaker to trivialise the Deputy President.
The governor added that the people under the same coalition elected the President and his deputy. They thus ought to be respected as other leaders had total confidence in their leadership.The leaders added that it was reasonable for Gachagua to ask Sakaja to take his time with his congestion plan as it would disrupt city life.

Nyeri Senator Wahome Wamatinga echoed Kahiga, adding that “the motion would not see the light of day.”