- Sakaja said the MPs are playing petty politics adding that he still respects them.
- The Governor stated that they were all elected to do different jobs, and should he have wanted to politics, he would have also accused them of failing the people they represent.
Image: NCCG
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has rubbished claims by four UDA-elected city legislators that he is mismanaging the city.
Sakaja said the MPs are playing petty politics adding that he still respects them.
The Governor stated that they were all elected to do different jobs, and should he have wanted to politic, he would have also accused them of failing the people they represent.
Sakaja said that the most important thing is to figure out a way of working together with these leaders.
"Ni kawaida. Saa zingine lazima utafute njia ya kuelewana nao sababu walichaguliwa na wananchi na ninawaheshimu sana. Mimi pia nilichaguliwa na wananchi, nina kazi yangu kama Gavana, wako na kazi yao kama wabunge na MCAs," he said in a radio interview.
This loosely translates to, "It is normal. At times you have to find a way to understand each other because they were elected by the people and I respect them a lot. I was also elected by the people, I have my job as governor, they have their jobs as MPs and MCAs."
The Nairobi City County Governor said the issues raised by the four UDA legislators and a section of UDA MCAs should not have escalated to the level of getting to the press.
He insisted that the issues could have been solved at the party level terming their move as indiscipline.
"The wise thing is to sit together and talk if you are in the same party and if you fail, find the leader of the party and tell him what the problem is," he said.
"Those things should not be escalated kuenda kwa magazeti that is party indiscipline. Most of these issues are solved from within the party."
In a press brief on April 19, the legislators led by Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie said Nairobi could be facing its worst leadership crisis in history.
He said the dream sold during campaigns, of a city of order and dignity, hope and opportunity for all, is slowly turning into a nightmare for city residents.
"Nairobi City is drowning in the murky lakes of free-flowing sewerage, estates buried in mountains of garbage, taps whistling tunes of dryness, as storm waters flood homes and businesses," Kiarie said in the joint statement.
"The skies above the city skyline are punctured by precariously unplanned, haphazardly constructed towers that know no limit because the city sets no limits."
The other city MPs include James Gakuya (Embakasi North), Augustine Kamande (Roysambu) and Benjamin Gathiru (Embakasi Central).
They were joined by a host of City MCAs led by Nairobi South's Waithera Chege.
The leaders insisted that Nairobi residents demand and deserve better leadership from Sakaja's administration.
They said the leadership must have a clear plan and vision for the development of Nairobi.
The leaders insisted that they must prioritise quick win actionable, schedules and resources for medium-term and sustainable development.