Ruto meets divided Nairobi leaders, Gachagua allies

President William Ruto held a meeting with Nairobi MPs at State House on Nov 12, 2024. [PCS]

President William Ruto has stepped in to bridge divisions among Nairobi's political leaders, who have been embroiled in long-standing disputes, particularly involving Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja.

In recent months, the city has seen increased tensions among its leaders over various issues, including the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and the cleanup of the Nairobi River, which led to demolitions.

Additional issues that have contributed to divisions among Nairobi’s leaders include the failed Nairobi grassroots elections, where Governor Sakaja and Embakasi North MP James Gakuya vied for the county chairmanship. Allegations of interference and mistrust led to the abandonment of the exercise.

On Tuesday, the President met with leaders at State House, where the Nairobi river cleanup was discussed—a matter that had also been a significant impeachment point against Gachagua, who was accused of insubordination for allegedly inciting residents instead of following his boss's directive to relocate those living along the river.

“Nairobi County is our country's capital city, the gateway to the East African region, and therefore occupies a special place in National Government plans. Held a meeting with Nairobi Governor @SakajaJohnson, Nairobi Members of Parliament, and Nairobi Rivers Commission, led by Chairperson Bishop Margaret Wanjiru, State House Nairobi,” the President shared on his X platform after the meeting.

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He added, “MPs were briefed on our ambitious plan for the cleaning up of Mathare, Nairobi, and Ngong rivers. We also discussed the construction of roads, lighting, and building of more classrooms in the city.”

Leaders at the meeting included Sakaja, MPs Beatrice Elachi (Dagoreti North), Benjamin Gathiru (Embakasi Central), John Kiarie (Dagoretti South), Tim Wanyinyi (Westlands), Felix Odiwour (Langata), Ronald Karauri (Kasarani), Antony Oluoch (Mathare), George Aladwa (Makadara), James Gakuya (Embakasi North), Mark Mwenje (Embakasi West), Peter Orero (Kibra), and Mwafrika Augustine Kamande (Roysambu).

Bishop and politician Margaret Wanjiru, who in March accused the Ruto administration of "illegally demolishing her Jesus Is Alive Ministries church" but was recently appointed as chairperson of the Nairobi Rivers Commission, also attended the meeting. This will likely be seen as a broader move by the President to retain his allies who supported him in the 2022 general elections.

During the demolitions, the televangelist bitterly accused the Kenya Kwanza government of repaying her campaign efforts with violence.

“Believe me, you will look for me. You went for Benny Hinn in America; you will look for me. And I am not moving, and I am not going anywhere. You have started a fight that you cannot fight. This one is in the heavens. We have lived in this community, but in all these years, we have never fought. You are using the MD in Railways. I pity his family. Because as I cried yesterday and today, even his family plus yours are not exempted. My tears will pay,” said Wanjiru tearfully.

On Tuesday, however, she appeared calm and expressed gratitude to the President for her new role, which will include coordinating initiatives for the protection, restoration, rehabilitation, and beautification of Nairobi's rivers.

MPs Amos Mwago (Starehe), Babu Owino (Embakasi East), and Julius Mawathe (Embakasi South), along with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, did not attend the State House meeting.

MP Gathiru, also known as Major Donk, said in an interview that although the meeting focused on the Nairobi river cleanup, the President urged leaders to set aside politics and focus on service delivery.

“He urged us to work together to fulfill the promises we made to our electorate. He also reaffirmed his commitment to building 3,500 classrooms in Nairobi to address the city’s rapid growth, which has led to a shortage of educational facilities. He assured us that funds would be released in batches of Sh1 billion each financial year,” Gathiru said in a phone interview with The Standard.

When asked if the meeting indicated he might shift his allegiance to the President, given his close ties with Gachagua, Gathiru responded, "We belong to the UDA party, and we have not abandoned our party until the next general election. Expressing a different opinion doesn’t mean enmity.”

Another MP at the meeting, who preferred to remain anonymous, shared, “While we discussed the cleanup of Nairobi rivers, the meeting also focused on unity of purpose and the importance of leaders working together.”

The meeting came two days after Ruto remarked at a Kakamega event that the country had moved past "old and backward politics of blackmail and division," calling on leaders to unite for Kenya's development—an indirect reference to Gachagua’s impeachment.

“Kenyans will decide who to elect based on track records. We do not want politics of infighting or regional coalitions. Leaders should focus on serving the people, and Kenyans will reward performance and reject complacency. The politics of blackmail have ended. Now, we are all united as Kenyans from across the country. We are focused on delivering development,” Ruto said during a church service at Ekambuli Khwisero.