Gachagua Tells Matatu Operators to Ignore Governor Sakaja’s Order to Move Out of Nairobi CBD

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has told matatu operators to disregard the directive issued by Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja and continue with their businesses.

Gachagua and Sakaja have been at loggerheads over the latter’s directive to relocate long distance public service vehicles from Nairobi CBD to the Green Park termini as part of the plan to decongest the city.

The deputy president protested the directive, terming it as ill-informed and said Sakaja must consult before making decisions that hurt businesses, especially those owned by people from Mt Kenya region.

Our administration will protect businesses. We are not like the previous regime which killed businesses. I am telling business people to continue with their work and no one will harass them and I mean what I say,”Gachagua said during an interview with Inooro TV.

He added:“For instance, you want to kill the tearoom stage. The moment you do away with that stage, you kill hundreds of shops along that road. Is that what my boss and I promised Kenyans? Not at all.”

He similarly reprimanded Governor Sakaja for banning nightclubs operating in residential areas, insisting that the move should be reconsidered.

“The same county government that is closing bars today is the same one that issued them with licenses. Who is lying to the other one now…? Sakaja should call for a consultative meeting where they will agree on how to install soundproof walls”, he said.

He maintained that the Mt Kenya region was instrumental in Governor Sakaja’s victory in the August 2022 election, adding that he extensively lobbied for his bid.

“I actually told Bishop Margaret Wanjiru to step down in his favour. He should be reminded that we people from the Mountain are not like potato sacks which you can move up and down the way you want,” he said.