Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja risks being impeached following his latest policy directives in the running of the city that led to a back-and-forth with Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Speaking on Monday, December 26, former Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko accused the incumbent governor of ignoring the needs of residents and disrespecting the second in command.
He attributed Sakaja's success in clinching the Nairobi gubernatorial seat to efforts from DP Gachagua who wooed the vote-rich Mt Kenya region to vote in his favour.
Defending his sentiments, Sonko stated that Sakaja's decision to relocate long-distance public service vehicles (PSV) from the Central Business District (CBD) was detrimental to matatu owners and other entrepreneurs.
Sonko, who was barred from vying for Mombasa gubernatorial by the Supreme Court, further accused Sakaja of punishing Nairobi traders by ordering the closure of bars and entertainment joints in residential areas.
The former governor maintained that Sakaja ought to respect members of the county assembly's decision to squash his decision to shut down noisy clubs in Nairobi residential areas.
To send him home, Sonko threatened to collect impeachment signatures from Nairobi electorates.
"If Sakaja continues to harass Nairobi business people we will mobilise people and send him home. We can also make the city ungovernable for him and finally send him home just like the first governor," Sonko stated.
At the same time, Sonko accused Sakaja of disloyalty to the United Democratic Alliance and its party leaders.
"Governor Sakaja is working with and helping people who never helped him to power. He is disloyal to UDA and its leadership,” he insisted.
Frosty relationship
Sonko's sentiments came just days after Gachagua accused Sakaja of sabotaging Mt Kenya business people by diverting PSVs operations from Nairobi CBD to Green Park Terminus.
Gachagua called out the first-time governor, asking him to protect the businessmen who voted him in.
"We are the ones who chose him. I’m the one who directed some voters to support him. Some decisions that he makes and are likely to spoil businesses in Nairobi, we must sit with him and agree on them," Gachagua stated.
"We don’t want to move with such speed. Any decision to remove matatus will not be allowed; that is not possible. I don’t want to disturb the traders," he added.
However, in a rebuttal, Sakaja affirmed that the status quo in the county would remain the same.
"There are certain things we cannot compromise on…it is about a stand, sticking to it and providing leadership," he stated during a past Citizen TV interview.
