Inside the war pitting Sakaja against Kenya Kwanza camp
By Alvin.Mwangi, January 4, 2023Senior Kenya Kwanza leaders have turned their guns on Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja barely 100 days after he was sworn in.
Sakaja is facing serious opposition, with even threats of him being impeached.
The ongoing war began last month after Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua admonished him for allegedly persecuting business people from Mt Kenya.
Gachagua, who was speaking at Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DeKUT), said the governor was making decisions that appeared to hurt Mt Kenya people despite their huge contribution in the city.
“We do not want his high speed (in making decisions) and I have summoned him for a sitting … It is a ‘no’ for any of his decisions that might have a negative effect on our people,” he said. “We made you governor and we are vigilant on our interests and we must get involved in those decisions that have an effect on our people”.
Triggered a rebellion
Sakaja’s policy pronouncements banning nightclub operations in residential areas and restricting entry by public service vehicles to the central business district have triggered a fight against him by Gachagua and top Mt Kenya leaders.
Nyeri Senator Wahome Wamatinga yesterday rekindled Sakaja’s university degree controversy, threatening that Mt Kenya leaders could initiate a process to have him impeached. The senator warned Sakaja over repercussions of picking a fight with the deputy president regarding the management of the country’s capital.
“We want to say Gachagua is not your equal. You actually don’t have papers. If you continue joking, we will impeach you. Rigathi made you the governor. Don’t play around with the Kikuyu community,” he said.
In July, the rising political star of Sakaja was on the brink of being dimmed as questions over his academic qualifications threatened to derail his bid for governor.
Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has also joined the war, threatening to lead a signature-collection drive to oust Sakaja.
Sonko argued that Sakaja had ignored the needs of Nairobi residents by shutting down clubs in residential areas.
“If Sakaja continues to pester Nairobi business people we will mobilise residents and send him home. We can also make the city ungovernable for him and send him home like the first governor,” Sonko stated.
The recent appointments of CECs and chief officers by Sakaja have also intensified the hostility against the youthful politician. UDA Ward Reps accused Sakaja of being a lone-ranger and favouring Azimio allies.
“Sakaja used the UDA ticket to seek votes for the seat and if he says he was elected by city residents, let him relinquish the seat and vie on an independent ticket,” said Minority Leader Anthony Kiragu.
The Ward Reps also accused Sakaja of favouring Azimio by picking some nominees who had supported Raila Odinga in the elections. The Azimio coalition is the majority at the assembly, with 67 MCAs while Kenya Kwanza has 53 MCAs. Three MCAs were elected as independents.