Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna condemned Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for his tiff with Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja over plans to remove matatus from the city’s Central Business District.
In a statement on Monday, January 9, the senator castigated Gachagua for interfering in matters within the county, referring to the 2010 Constitution, whereby governors are not subject to direction or control by the national government.
In addition, Senator Sifuna explained that the residents of Nairobi were receptive to change which could happen if the Governor was given the space he needed to make decisions pertaining to the county including making necessary changes like moving the matatus out of the CBD.
“I firmly believe that Gachagua can be safely ignored but I was elected by the people to draw the line in our constitutional and democratic order when anyone becomes a threat ” Sifuna stated.
“The Governors are not accountable to Gachagua. He has no authority over county government and must refrain from interfering with their operations,” Sifuna added
Sifuna added that Gachagua’s remarks insinuated that some tribes were superior to others adding that all the leaders were elected by people from all tribes and should therefore serve them in an equal capacity.
“ We reject Gachagua’s invitation to elevate some tribes. All tribes in Kenya as well as foreign nationalities dwell in harmony in Nairobi,” Sifuna stated.
Additionally, the Senator stated that Gachagua’s remarks were ill-informed and that he would have to account for his actions to the people who elected him and not to Sakaja.
Sifuna asked Sakaja to focus on delivering on the promises he made to the people and other responsibilities given to him.
On Sunday, January 8, Nairobi governor Johnson Sakaja stated that he would consult with the Deputy President on the matter, explaining that he understood the role of the national government and its integration with the county government.
“I will seek the President and his deputy privately to sort out issues that affect Nairobi residents.”
“We understand that the national government has its role in affairs of Nairobi, but the county also has its role that must be respected,” Sakaja stated.
Gachagua had initially stated that he had the authority to give orders to all governors in his capacity as the deputy president.
“There is no governor that I cannot tell what they need to do. It is clearly stated in the President's Executive Order that I am the link between the National and County Governors,” Gachagua stated on Sunday, January 8.
