Sakaja vows to restore sanity in Nairobi despite opposition

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja addresses a past function. [File, Standard]

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has promised to restore order in the Central Business District (CBD) despite opposition from interest groups and some politicians.

Since taking over two years ago, Sakaja has tried in vain to decongest the CBD by relocating some public service vehicles (PSVs) and hawkers.

First he attempted to relocate long-distance PSVs from the CBD to Greenpark terminus but the move was stopped by courts after transporters successfully filed a petition.

Undeterred, the governor banned nightclubs from residential areas but this has also flopped.

And recently, Sakaja's administration moved to relocate some traders from Marikiti market to Kagundo Road market, however traders opposed the decision leading to chaos in the city. The governor's plans to restore sanity in the city once again suffered a blow after the traders got the backing of politicians led by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

The relocation of PSVs and traders from the CBD have put Sakaja at loggerheads with the Deputy President who has said that the governor's actions will hurt businesses of Mt Kenya people who overwhelmingly voted for him.

On Sunday, the governor told faithful at ACK St Stephen's Cathedral Jogoo Road, Nairobi, that his efforts to restore sanity in the city for the last two years have faced political opposition - a situation that is denying residents services.

"We want to have a city of order. We will restore it without political considerations. You will see us soon issuing orders which will bring sanity to our city," said Sakaja.

He vowed to relocate some traders from Marikiti market to Kagundo Road market.

"Am going to ensure that we do this without looking back. We cannot live in a country where we are going to look down in fear of being pushed," said Sakaja.

The governor argued that the county government has spent billions of shillings in establishing markets, which will give traders dignified operating zones.

"We will ensure that the matatus and traders operate in designated areas without any political interference. We are going to clean streets, collect garbage as well as ensure we fix our roads to the standards that are required," he said.

Sakaja at the same time cautioned leaders against dividing Kenyans along tribal lines.

"We will not allow our people to be divided along tribal lines. Water challenges, poor roads, high cost of living and diseases are all facing our citizens regardless of their tribal backgrounds," he noted.