Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja has explained why he chose Deputy President William Ruto over President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga.
In an interview at Radio Citizen on Wednesday, Sakaja who is eyeing the Nairobi governor seat said he had foreseen what befell Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi.
Wanyonyi had been cleared to vie for the Nairobi governorship on an ODM ticket but was later asked to drop his bid for Jubilee’s Polycarp Igathe following a consensus.
He will be defending his Westlands parliamentary seat in the August 9 polls.
Sakaja noted that it was time for him to be his own man, despite his friendship with Uhuru and the former Prime Minister.
“Lakini niliona mbele nikaona this is what they believe in nikaona vile wamepanga siasa zao Nairobi hii, ile kitu Wanyonyi alifanyiwa ilikuwa mimi nifanyiwe, nipangwe na si kwa ubaya watu wanasema kama huku tunapatia rais, pande hii lazima watu wakae hivi,” he said on Radio Citizen.
This loosely translates to, “I saw what they believe in, I saw how they had planned their politics in Nairobi. What they did to Wanyonyi would have been done to me… People were saying if we are giving the presidency to this side, this other side must get this.”
Sakaja said that he then asked the President to let him go to a party where he stood a chance.
“So, I humbly told the boss to let me go where I have a chance and where their policies are about ordinary people.”
The senator insisted that his friendship with Uhuru and Raila remains good and they still talk, despite joining Ruto’s party, the United Democratic Alliance.
He added that he has nothing against the two.
“Raila Amollo Odinga is like a father to me. Of all leaders, Raila Odinga is the only one who has come to my home for my son’s birthday. His role in Kenya’s history cannot be erased,” Sakaja said.
“I respect President Uhuru Kenyatta he picked me from President Mwai Kibaki’s team, we started TNA where I was chairman at the age of 26. He believed in me and I thank him.”
Sakaja was unveiled as the UDA gubernatorial candidate following negotiations between him and Bishop Margaret Wanjiru who also sought the party ticket to be the city county boss.
The negotiations were led by the DP and ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi. BY THE STAR