Five months after Johnson Sakaja assumed office as Nairobi governor, his fate appears to be following the same trajectory as that of his predecessor, Mike Sonko, who was impeached after differing with his seniors and allies.
Kakamega senator, Boni Khalwale, became the latest United Democratic Alliance (UDA) politician to pile pressure on the governor, warning him that he risked being kicked out of office.
However, he urged him to heed Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s warning, arguing that the DP was protecting him from losing his seat.
Speaking at an event in Kakamega on Saturday, January 7, the self-proclaimed bullfighter advised Sakaja to desist from irking the Nairobi business community, which he argued would gang up with the members of the county assembly to orchestrate his ouster.
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale addresses mourners during a burial service in Likuyani Constituency on Saturday, January 7, 2023.
SENATOR BONI KHALWALE
The senator further added that Gachagua was wise and his warning should be heeded by the latter.
“MCAs who the affected businesspeople voted for will impeach you. The DP’s advice is simply saving Sakaja from impeachment,”
He also urged Sakaja to trade cautiously and avoid being roped into a war of words with his boss, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Gachagua cautioned Sakaja against banning matatus from the central business district, thus affecting the livelihoods of Mt Kenya businessmen.
“We have watched as the DP and Sakaja row widens in the media, and there is no way Sakaja can disrespect Gachagua.
“He is our boss. Sakaja should listen to the DP as it is the better decision. He is being saved from a looming impeachment sponsored by businesspeople,” Khalwale advised.
Sakaja’s plan to lock matatus out of CBD, he argued, was a roadside declaration that was ill-advised and tantamount to creating a tiff between the county government and matatu owners.
He urged the governor to devise an elaborate plan, and consult the MCAs and Senate before kicking out matatus.
