Top officials of the ruling party, UDA, are now sharply divided over the relocation of hawkers in Nairobi to new markets completed by former Governor Mike Sonko.
The beef started after Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua reacted to Thursday protests by Wakulima market traders who were opposing their planned relocation to Kangundo market.
During Sonko’s administration, the County Government completed the construction of six markets in Nairobi. The six include; Westlands Market, Kangundo Road Market, Qware Road Market, Karandini, Mwariro and Parklands market.
https://x.com/MikeSonko/status/1129828945732538368?s=19
Taking to his social media account, Gachagua reminded Sakaja of the promise given by the Kenya Kwanza team to uplift Kenyans’ lives.
In particular, he cited the campaigns in Muthurwa in July 2022 when they promised never to disrupt the traders’ economic activities.
“My younger brother Governor Johnson Sakaja, traders from Wakulima Market, Nairobi County, have called me and reminded me of the undertaking you and I jointly gave them in July 2022 as I campaigned for you in Muthurwa,” Gachagua wrote.
Kindly, do consider having a sitting with the leadership of the market to agree on whatever changes your government desires without adversely affecting their livelihoods.”
The DP acknowledged that the traders deserved a chance to be heard as they gave the Governor their trust by voting for him.
“Kindly forgive me if I appear intrusive, but they are coming to me as I was your guarantor in matters of trust, please my brother,” Gachagua noted.
Governor Sakaja, in a very short subsequent response, seemingly urged the Deputy President to phone him directly instead of attempting to reach him via social media.
“My elder brother H.E Rigathi Gachagua, You have my number,” wrote the Nairobi County boss, also on social media.
In early 2023, Gachagua and Sakaja were engaged in a public spat over the affairs of the city. The duo, however, later alleged that there was no bad blood between them.
Following the protests on Thursday, the Nairobi County government defended the plans to relocate the traders, emphasizing on the need to address congestion, health hazards and waste management issues that affect the city.
During the Sonko regime, the Nairobi City County Government also constructed the new Kangundo road fire station in Embakasi West and Waithaka fire station in Dagoreti which were the first ones to be built since independence.
Nairobi had only two fire stations, along Tom Mboya street and another at Industrial Area.