Gachagua says matatu tiff with Sakaja resolved

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua now says his misunderstanding with Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja over plans to lock out matatus from the city’s Central Business District (CBD) has been resolved.

Speaking during a church service at Jesus Winner Ministry in Roysambu, Nairobi, on Sunday, March 5, where the county boss was in attendance, Gachagua said the matter had been addressed and everything was moving on smoothly.

He said as deputy president he plays a “fatherly role” to most of the young leaders in Kenya including Sakaja and wouldn’t sit back and watch as “things” go south.

“The governor is my person. Mimi ndio nilimleta hapo nimemsaidia. And I am happy the way he is going na uendee. But if I find mahali unakosa kidogo nakurekebisha unaingia kwa laini tunaendelea. It’s like that because sasa mimi ni baba yenu nikiona pahali biashara inatakakuumia nakuambia hapana hapa wacha tufanya namna hii watu ya matatu hapana mbaya hii hawakers si watu mbaya,” he said.

“The governor tumesikizana and now things are moving well and we will continue mentoring these young leaders correcting them where we need to correct them and encouraging them where we need to,” he added.

On his part, Sakaja said the DP is his mentor and blamed the recent tiff on his plans to decongest the city on “brokers” keen to cash in on their fallout.

Gachagua was strongly opposed to Sakaja’s ban, insisting that the governor’s plans would hurt local businessmen and told matatu operators to stay put.

“We need to respect all businesses, and I want to tell all business people to continue working, the William Ruto and Rigathi Gachagua government will not allow anyone to destroy any business,” Gachagua said in a past interview.

The remarks elicited criticism from a section of leaders who accused the deputy president of meddling with the affairs of the County Government of Nairobi.

“DP Gachagua has in the past few weeks had a tiff with Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja over management of city affairs, which most right-thinking Kenyans have rightfully ignored given the DPs unmatched ability to be a national nuisance. But he has now gone a step further and reportedly declared that he can direct any Governor on what to do,” Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna remarked.

“The 2010 Constitution, in creating devolved units, made them distinct governments in their own right. They are therefore not subject to direction or control by the national government. The Governors do not report to Gachagua. He has no power over county governments and must desist from interfering with their working.”