Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has hit out at his Kisumu counterpart Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o over a decision to suspend the opposition anti-government demos in the lakeside city to allow their supporters to join protests in the country’s capital.
Governor Nyong’o, in a statement released early Wednesday, said the suspension followed discussions with both the county and national leadership of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition.
Sakaja, however, termed the move as “preposterous and totally unacceptable,” saying Nairobi has already incurred losses due to the fact that two anti-government demos have taken place in the city bringing businesses to a standstill.
“The Governor of Kisumu’s idea that he can export his demonstrations to Nairobi and make our County the capital of demonstrations and associated mayhem is preposterous and totally unacceptable,” said Sakaja in a subsequent statement.
“Nairobi County has already hosted two of these demonstrations. We’ve borne the cost of the disruption so far: Nairobians have patiently put up with the disruption, and their taxes have paid for its aftermath.”
As such, Governor Sakaja went on, it would be imprudent of Prof. Nyong’o to urge Azimio supporters in Kisumu to pack their bags for Nairobi.
“In the spirit of devolution, I would advise the Governor of Kisumu, Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o’, to keep his demonstrations to his County,” said Sakaja.
“It has been decided that further protests and demonstrations shall similarly no longer take place in any part of the city.”
Governor Nyongo had claimed in his statement that Kisumu residents who have protested the high cost of living and contested the General Election has spoken out strongly on “these very serious matters and have delivered their petitions to the government.”
He also claimed that the indefinite suspension of the demonstrations in Kisumu will enable supporters of opposition chief Raila Odinga to join the ongoing unrest in Nairobi.
The Kisumu Governor however also stated that, despite the suspension, the residents of Kisumu are still dedicated to Azimio’s goals and its campaign for a better Kenya.
