Kidero to Sakaja: Stop disrespecting Gachagua

Former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero was addressing journalists after voting at North Nyokal Divisional headquarters in Rangwe Constituency during UDA grassroots election on May 31, 2024. [James Omoro, Standard]

Former Governor Evans Kidero has criticised Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja over alleged attacks on Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Kidero, a UDA delegate in Homa Bay County said Sakaja is causing unnecessary tension in the UDA leadership and the Kenya Kwanza government.

Addressing journalists after voting in UDA's grassroots election at North Nyokal Divisional headquarters in Rangwe Constituency, Kidero said Sakaja should be called out for disrespecting Gachagua.

He argued that Gachagua was elected on the same ticket as President William Ruto hence nobody should attempt to divide them.

The former governor said disrespecting Gachagua is tantamount to disrespecting President Ruto.

"Let our UDA elected leaders know that Ruto and Gachagua were elected on the same party ticket. If you disrespect Gachagua, you are also disrespecting the President," said Kidero.

Kidero said failure to respect a leader amounts to disrespecting God.

"The Bible teaches us that leaders are elected by God. Let our political leaders know that if you disrespect God if you disrespect your leader," he said.

Even though Kidero did not mention Sakaja's name, he challenged him to concentrate on serving the people of Nairobi County.

"Nairobi City County is dirty yet your efforts are directed at disrespecting the Deputy President. Serve the people of Nairobi first because they gave you the mandate to serve them," Kidero said.

He told politicians to shelve their political ambitions and focus on serving the people.

He said Sakaja's 2032 presidential ambitions should not cause any mayhem in the Kenya Kwanza government.

"You cannot cause issues in the party because you want to become a president in 2032. Stop it and respect your leader," Kidero said.

Elsewhere, the acting UDA chairman in Homa Bay County Kennedy Obuya, and the party coordinator in South Nyanza Kennedy Ondiek said the dissenting voices in the UDA leadership are signs of democracy in the party.

Obuya said the leadership of any democratic party leadership should accept criticism.

"The different options experienced in UDA signify democracy. We accept positive criticism in our party," Obuya said.

Ondiek said the differences are signs of the popularity of UDA.

"If you hear people some scramble over political party affairs, it means the party is popular," Ondiek said.