In the midst of escalating political tensions within the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), Governor Johnson Sakaja has asked Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to stop being a crybaby.
Sakaja unleashed verbal fury on Gachagua while addressing over 7,000 UDA grassroots delegates at Bomas of Kenya on Wednesday, May 29, 2024.
In a pointed rebuke, the Nairobi governor implored Gachagua to demonstrate respect for the presidency and other duly elected officials.
Casting doubt on the Deputy President’s grievances of political manoeuvres meant to undermine him, Sakaja highlighted past instances where Gachagua himself may have employed intimidation tactics against fellow leaders.
“Haiwezi kuwa unanyanyasa watu, you have bullied people for two years, unatajwa wiki moja unaanza kulia, respect other leaders (You can’t bully people for two years and then start crying when you are mentioned in one week),” Sakaja remarked.
The governor’s impassioned remarks come against the backdrop of simmering tensions within the ruling party, as competing factions vie for control ahead of the upcoming elections.
Sakaja also claimed that his opponent for the position of UDA Nairobi branch chairman, James Gakuya (Embakasi North MP), was a project of some people.
There has been a split between members of the ruling UDA party over who should be the party’s next chairperson in the County of Nairobi.
Embakasi North MP James Gakuya is said to have the backing of the Deputy President.
UDA wrangles, Gachagua’s woes
Gachagua on May 25, 2024, took a swipe at a section of Rift Valley leaders over claims that they were interfering with Mount Kenya politics.
Addressing the matter at the Mother of Apostles Seminary Grounds in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, during the coronation of Reverend John Kiplimo Lelei, the DP asked Rift Valley leaders to refrain from poking their noses into Mount Kenya politics.
“Naomba watu wa Bonde la ufa tafadhali sisi tuliunga rais mkono kwa hiari yetu na kupenda, na tunaendelea kumuunga mkono, tunaomba heshima kidogo, msijaribu kutupangia siasa ya mlima Kenya na uongozi wa Mlima Kenya, nyinyi mpange siasa yenu na uongozi wenu.
“Siku William Ruto atastaafu after 10 years sisi hatutaingilia vile mnataka kupanga, nyinyi mtapanga wenyewe. Siasa ya huko kwetu hamuezani nayo, ni ngumu sana. The politics of the mountain is so complicated it can only be understood by the mountaineers,” Gachagua said.
Kapseret Member of Parliament (MP) Oscar Sudi was quick to hit back at Gachagua after he urged Rift Valley MPs to steer clear of Mt Kenya politics.
Wednesday, May 29, 2024, witnessed more UDA bickering after Secretary-General Cleophas Malala admonished some members for escalating the infighting within the party.
