A new twist has emerged in the ongoing tiff between Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja.
Speaking on Sunday evening, Gachagua said he lobbied to have Sakaja given the United Democratic Alliance party ticket for the capital’s gubernatorial seat.
"I want to remind that young man ( Sakaja), I lobbied for him to be the governor. I actually told Bishop Margaret Wanjiru to step aside for him,” he said.
The DP was speaking during a live interview with a local Tv station.
On April 9, 2022 Bishop Wanjiru of Jesus is Alive Ministry stepped down from the Nairobi gubernatorial race.
This was after a meeting held at the then Deputy President William Ruto's official Karen Residence.
Wanjiru announced that she quit the race in favour of senator Sakaja, who was to fly with the UDA party ticket.
President William Ruto then said the party honoured Wanjiru for her magnanimity, sacrifice and grace.
"This win-win spirit will help Nairobi regain its glory," he said.
Ruto then said Kenya Kwanza is elated that it will be fielding Sakaja as its Nairobi gubernatorial candidate.
"Senator Sakaja is a leader who measures up to the challenges facing our city. Bishop Wanjiru defers her gubernatorial bid and will now go for the Senate seat," he said.
Gachagua’s remarks come at a time when it has been perceived that him and Governor Sakaja are not seeing eye to eye, over their different opinions on decongesting Nairobi’s Central Business District.
In December 2022, Sakaja announced that long-distance matatus will be relocated from the CBD to Green Park terminus.
However, according to the DP, Sakaja ought to have consulted him before making decisions, which affect the businesses of the people of Mt Kenya - who gave him votes.
On December 20, 2022, Gachagua warned Sakaja against implementing the plan to relocate matatus.
He termed the move as ill-intentioned, which he claimed was aimed at persecuting the Mt Kenya business community, adding that it will disrupt businesses.
However, On Sunday Sakaja said there is no bad blood between him and the Deputy President.
He said there were no issues between them as is being portrayed.
“People are trying to create a tiff between the DP and I. They are taking advantage, especially people from other political parties, who are trying to create something that is not there,” Sakaja said.
The DP also shared his sentiments but said the recent policies brought by Sakaja are harsh and are meant to bring businesses down.
