You Have My Number- Sakaja Tells Off Gachagua In Muthurwa Protests Row

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja on Thursday, September 12 hit back at Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua who urged him beforehand to have a sit down with Muthurwa market traders following protests that broke out in the morning hours.

The traders had woken up to find a fire had razed the market amidst a proposal by the county government to relocate them to Kangundo market. 

In a statement on his social media handles, Gachagua revealed that he had received numerous calls from the traders wanting him to intervene in the matter. 

Protests that erupted at Nairobi's Wakulima Market on September 12, 2024. /THE KENYA TIMES

“Kindly, do consider having a sitting with the leadership of the market to agree on whatever changes your Government desires without adversely affecting their livelihoods,” he appealed to Sakaja.

Gachagua reminded the governor that the traders had given him their trust and vote, adding that it was only fair that Sakaja gave them a listening ear.  

The DP recalled that in July 2022, he supported Sakaja as he sought votes from the traders. “My younger brother Governor Johnson Sakaja, traders from Wakulima Market, Nairobi County, have called me and reminded me of the undertaking you and I jointly gave them in July 2022 as I campaigned for you in Muthurwa,” he recounted.

“We gave a commitment that our Administration will never disrupt their lives or undermine their economic activities.” 

Gachagua noted that the Constitution provides for public participation before any major decisions that have a serious impact on the welfare of citizens are taken.

“Kindly, forgive me if I appear intrusive, but they are coming to me as I was your guarantor in matters of trust, Please my brother,” he pleaded. 

However, Sakaja in a very short and snappy statement urged Gachagua to reach out to him directly. “My elder brother H.E Rigathi Gachagua, You have my number,” wrote the Nairobi County boss, also on social media.

Nairobi county seeks to relocate the traders to Kangundo market on grounds that there is congestion in the Muthurwa market. However, the traders showed up to the market as early as 3 am seeking to protest the relocation. 

Their protest led to disruptions along Haile Selassie Avenue, part of Ronald Ngala Street, Temple Road and parts of Landhies Road. Police arrived at the scene at around 7 am after protesters had already started blocking the roads with stones.

In a subsequent statement, the Nairobi County government defended the removal of traders from Wakulima Market. The county explained that the current state of Wakulima Market was untenable, with traders having exceeded the intended capacity of 1,200 by threefold, which has led to severe congestion. 

This overflow hampers traders' operations and makes it challenging for pedestrians to navigate the market effectively.

The county decried that the severe congestion at Wakulima Market creates conditions that increase the risk of waterborne diseases. The devolved unit said it was their constitutional duty to ensure a clean and safe environment, making the decongestion of the market essential.

The office of the Governor clarified that it intended to relocate these traders to Kangundo Market, which can accommodate over 5,000 traders and has a bigger parking space, a statement which underlined that the market was underutilized.