Sakaja fires back at Gachagua on Marikiti market relocation plans

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has clapped back at Deputy Rigathi Gachagua over his remarks concerning the Marikiti Market.

On Friday morning, the DP who visited the market at Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD) condemned the county's intention to relocate the market.

Addressing the traders along Haile Selassie, the second in command questioned why there was a sudden need to relocate the traders from the market which has been in existence since 1966.

"This market has been here. When we were campaigning at Wakulima market, there were a lot of people and no one had a problem, after we got their many votes, it is now said there is a congestion problem in the CBD," Gachagua stated.

"No one bothered to tell traders that they would be evicted when they were asking for their votes during the campaign period, "he added.

In a statement, Governor Sakaja stated he had restrained himself from addressing the deputy president but Friday's activities left him with no choice.

"This morning, in a misinformed tribal diatribe, and while speaking in the vernacular in the heart of our nation's capital, you (DP) have chosen to use falsehoods to incite traders against the measures we are taking," he said.

Sakaja claimed that the DP was misinformed and all he needed to do was to reach out to him and learn facts about the Marikiti market.

"If only you had taken your phone and called me as I had suggested, you would have learnt a few things, " he said.

Last week, City Hall gave Marikiti traders a notice to relocate to the Sh800 constructed Wakulima Kangundo road market.

According to the county, the decision to relocate traders from the congested Marikiti and Muthurwa markets, where onions, potatoes, oranges, and pineapples are sold, is part of a broader strategy to decongest Nairobi's central markets.

Being against the move, the traders on Thursday, September 12, 2024, staged protests which disrupted traffic flow and normal business operations along Haile Selassie Avenue.

The following day, Milimani High Court Judge Bahati Mwamuye halted the eviction order issued by City Hall. The case will be reviewed again on September 30 for further instructions.

The Governor insisted that he will not allow traders to endanger their lives by selling their wares on the roadside and moving to Kangundo Road Market is mandatory.

"Just over a year ago, in June 2023, 52 traders, selling goods on a road reserve, were killed in Londiani, Kericho County, when a truck driver lost control and ploughed into them," Sakaja explained.

"30 of them sustained life-changing injuries. These people cannot come back to life. I have a duty and mandate that will not let me fall for populist political gimmicks at the expense of the lives and safety of Nairobians," he added.

Sakaja maintained that there must be order in Nairobi, arguing that the leadership of the Marikiti market agreed to the relocation plan.

In the morning, the DP had also questioned whether City Hall had consulted the traders on the matter.

Giving his response, the Governor highlighted that consultations had been made with him personally attending the sit-down.

Traders agreement

Last Friday, a section of Marikiti traders led by Wakulima Market Chairman Paul Maina met and reached an agreement with Governor Sakaja and other county officials over the relocation plans.

They agreed to relocate to the new Wakulima Market along Kangundo Road.

Nairobi police boss Adamson Bungei who attended the meeting even reassured the traders of their safety during the relocation period.

Sending a stern warning to the DP over matters on development, Sakaja said he would not allow anyone to take the city backwards.

He told off Gachagua who doubles as his deputy party leader to keep the people of Nairobi out of what he termed as 'weighty and impending political issues'.

"We will not allow you to take us back. A leader of your calibre should provide informed solutions and not stoke tribal disunity in our country," Sakaja added.