Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua says he won’t stop speaking out against Nairobi Governor Sakaja and any of his policies that might disadvantage businessmen in the capital city.
The DP and Sakaja have been locked in a war of words over the governor’s directive to relocate long-distance matatus from the city’s Central Business District (CBD).
Speaking in an interview with Inooro TV on Sunday, DP Gachagua also faulted Governor Sakaja for shutting down nightclubs in residential areas over noise pollution.
“We need to respect all businesses, and I want to tell all business people to continue working, the William Ruto and Rigathi Gachagua government will not allow anyone to destroy any business,” he said.
Adding: “William Ruto and I were elected on the promise that we would not destroy people’s businesses, you remember my issues with the other regime when I was MP, our Government is here to protect.”
Gachagua also mentioned that as the second-in-command, he holds power over Governors.
“I’m the Deputy President. I won’t stop speaking out when our people are being disadvantaged. There is no governor that I cannot tell what they need to do. It is there outlined in the Executive order issued by the president, that I’m the bridge between the National and County Governors and that is by the order of the President,” Riggy G insisted.
The DP said there are “policies that I won’t accept. For instance, no matatus will be moved from the stages since congestion only affects those endowed. The hustlers are not complaining. You won’t close our bars. Give them time to soundproof their businesses if the issue is about noise”.
Gachagua also mentioned that he helped Governor Sakaja clinch the seat by endorsing him over candidates from the Mt Kenya region.
“When that young man [Sakaja] was being elected, I prevailed upon Bishop Margaret Wanjiru to step down. I proceeded to incite our voters against Polycarp Igathe. I endorsed Sakaja in place of our daughter and son. We made him governor,” he said.
“It is up to him to go and choose between fighting those who made him governor or consult them in service delivery. I think I have made it crystal clear. I’m through with this debate, a King need not speak twice about one issue. Our businesspeople are well protected. Being made DP did not change my roots and traditions. I’m with my people and others in the whole country,” Gachagua said.
