Sakaja accuses Gachagua of disrespect, dares him to vie for Nairobi governor

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has joined a growing list of critics targeting Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua after unleashing a scathing attack against the second-in-command.

Sakaja, who spoke during a UDA delegates conference at Bomas, accused Gachagua of disrespecting leaders.

"You can't be bullying people for two years and when you are only mentioned for just one week, you start crying. Bullies are the biggest cowards. You even went to the forest; I don't know where. If you want respect, respect other leaders. If you don't respect those leaders, then respect the people who put them there," Sakaja said.

He told Gachagua to run for the Nairobi County governor seat in the next elections since he did not respect him as an elected official.

"I have been through a lot, and I'm not easily intimidated. Nobody has the right to say I was given the seat. I was elected. In 2027 you are free to run for any elective post run and be Nairobi governor," said Sakaja.

The background of Sakaja's tiff with the Deputy President stems from the ongoing Nairobi UDA chairmanship elections pitting the governor against Embakasi North MP James Gakuya, Gachagua's ally.

Gakuya is said to be enjoying Gachagua's support, a move that seems to have angered the county boss.

Sakaja joins the league of anti Gachagua's crusaders who include MPs Ndindi Nyoro (Kiharu), Mwangi Kiunjuri (Laikipia East) and Oscar Sudi (Kapseret), among others.

Kiunjuri accused Gachagua of forcing himself on people to be recognize as kingpin and issuing threats to leaders. He claimed Gachagua, despite being the senior-most political leader from Mt Kenya region, had no clout to be the region's kingpin.

"Why do you want to force yourself on people? Where have you ever heard a leader forcing himself on others? Leadership is cultivated to a point where you gain acceptability by people; it is not earned by inflicting fear on them. You can earn leadership through fear or by respect," Kiunjuri said.

On Sunday, Sudi told Gachagua off saying he could not control where he goes or how he handles his political affairs. "I am not someone you can threaten. I have been threatened enough and this does not move me," the MP said.