NAIROBI KENYA, Jan 4 – Siaya Governor James Orengo has defended Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja saying he only needs to talk to the President alone and not his deputy.
This follows an exchange between Sakaja and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua who opposed the relocation of Public Service Vehicles from Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) to the Green Park Terminus.
Gachagua had stated that the Governor needs to slow down and to first consult before making such directives
Speaking during the memorial service of Roots Party leader George Wajackoyah’s father in Kakamega, Orengo however faulted Gachagua whom he said was purporting to direct Sakaja on matters of the county.
Orengo contended that the constitution gives Sakaja the authority to manage the county and that in the event of a problem, the governor should take it up with the president rather than Gachagua.
“The leader for Nairobi County is my brother Sakaja, a very intelligent person and he got votes from all parts of the county. So, if there is a problem in Nairobi, Sakaja can only talk president to president, that is Ruto to Sakaja not Ruto’s assistant,” he said.
According to Orengo the constitution establishes two levels of government which are distinct and it also allows affairs to be conducted with respect and mutual cooperation.
“He can’t force Sakaja to say what he wants him to do or force him to do what he wants and I still say that Sakaja is right and the Deputy President is wrong,” he added.
“And we are not talking as people who are talking on any parochial or ethics lines, we are talking on the basis of the constitution of the Republic of Kenya that puts the affairs of Nairobi city county government in the hands of Sakaja.”
Orengo added that Sakaja will be the only person who will be accountable on the affairs of the County as per the constitution of Kenya and he should be allowed to do his work.
Governor Sakaja last year in November during a meeting with Sacco leaders for Public Service Vehicles said his plan to relocate long distance PSVs to the Green Park terminus was aimed at decongesting the CBD.
However, the Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said that he sat down with the Kikuyu business community and asked them to back Sakaja’s bid to become the city Governor, and that therefore he will not allow decisions that affect their business.
“We have to sit down and talk with the Nairobi Governor because we are the ones who voted him into office,” DP Gachagua said in Nyeri his home town.
