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Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has told off Governor Johnson Sakaja who has been playing “interventionist” with his call for a different approach by the government to deal with the opposition.

For the last two weeks, Sakaja has been pleading with President William Ruto to engage in a dialogue with Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya coalition leader Raila Odinga and avert imminent mass actions scheduled to kick off officially next week on Monday, March 20.

However, in a tweet on Monday afternoon, Sifuna slammed Sakaja saying he should focus and prepare for the opposition’s visit to the city as Azimio is not willing to engage in negotiations with the government.

“Governor Sakaja should focus on preparing the City for our visitors on the 20th. We want clean public toilets, drinkable water in the CBD, our ambulances and medical facilities on standby, traffic marshalls to guide traffic and protect the visitors etc.”

“No one called for dialogue between nyamakima traders and China Square during their maandamano. No one has called for dialogue with bandits in Rift, because you don’t dialogue with thieves. We want those calling for “dialogue “ to know we cannot dialogue with election thieves,” he tweeted.

Governor Sakaja should focus on preparing the City for our visitors on the 20th. We want clean public toilets, drinkable water in the CBD,our ambulances and medical facilities on standby, traffic marshalls to guide traffic and protect the visitors etc.

— Edwin Sifuna (@edwinsifuna) March 13, 2023

Sakaja on Sunday, March 12, urged President Ruto to negotiate with Raila for the sake of Kenya’s economy. He claimed that although Ruto is willing to work with all Kenyans, his close allies have made it hard for him to engage the opposition.

He said it is time Ruto reaches out to Raila for the greater good and to save the majority of Kenyans and their businesses, and investments.

“No one wants a handshake but you must acknowledge all leaders and hear what are their legitimate concerns. This country is bigger than any one person. The economy is tough and the people are suffering. People’s livelihoods are at stake and now that things are picking up, it is time for us to talk,” he remarked.

Adding;

“Kenya Kwanza’s politics and leadership is that of inclusion and I know that is what the President stands for despite being surrounded by people who are afraid of unity. However, there are other leaders who are trying to become hardliners, to tell the president not to reach out.”