Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has assured Nairobi matatu owners of government protection and asked them to remain put and continue with their businesses.

This follows a move by Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja to relocate a section of public service vehicles from the CBD in a move to de-congest the city.

The DP has maintained that removing Matatus from the CBD will lock a lot of people out of business.

Matatu owners to defy order

Gachagua claims that those complaining about congestion in Nairobi do not set foot in town but rather live in the outskirts of the city’s posh estates.

“Those who come to town are not complaining of congestion because that is where they source their daily bread… furthermore, when those planning to evict Matatus from the CBD will bring trains. We shall accept that they remove Matatus but for now there are no trains or buses,” he added.

According to Gachagua, it will be difficult for people to cover long distances with their luggage if matatus are moved out of the CBD.

“I do not have any problems with anyone… but anyone who feels that there should be a change or shift in status quo, they should first consider how it shall change the lives of Kenyans and have a dialogue about it before making any decisions,” he said.

Wants club owners given time

At the same time, the DP defended club owners against the closure of their business by the Nairobi county government.

He argues that club owners should be given time to install soundproof walls to minimize noise pollution.

“You are the same people who have issued these businessmen and women with licenses to operate clubs within the residential areas.

“You cannot wake up one day and decide to close their business, yet they have invested their money there, rather invite them for a dialogue with an ultimatum,” he said.

“I want to tell people this, keep on with your business. The government under the stewardship of President William Ruto has you covered and protected”.

Sakaja has insisted that he will not be destructed by noisemakers from executing change in Nairobi.

Also Read: Sakaja Says Critics Won’t Stop Him from Transforming Nairobi

Not tribal

Further, DP Gachagua has told off critics labeling him as a tribal leader.

He says that those calling him tribal are “disrespectful.”

“We are not tribal, and I am definitely not tribal… When Governor Johnson Sakaja was being elected, there was Margaret Wanjiru whom I asked to shelf her ambitions for the young man. Was that tribal?”

“There was Igathe whom I rally people against, was I tribal?” he asked

Gachagua claims that there is a group of people who are out to discredit him on tribal lines.

“Whenever anyone from the Kikuyu community speaks or they gather somewhere, they are accused of tribalism, but they turn the other way when members from another community do the same,” he said.

“I have spoken and as a leader I do not have to repeat myself, people should carry on with their business in every part of the country and this is not just for the Kikuyu community. Our government is pro-business people- to protect and grow these businesses,” he added.

He encouraged elected leaders to tread carefully and not upset the same people who put them in positions of power.

“We will not engage in double speak that on one hand we are promising Kenyans we are in support of their hustle and on the other hand we introduce barriers to their business.

“I want to urge all business people to carry on with their businesses assured of government’s protection,” he said.