I've never been in ANC, I'm in UDA - Senator Sakaja
Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja has rubbished reports that he was a member of Musalia Mudavadi-led Amani National Congress (ANC).
Speaking to a local daily on Thursday, April 7, 2022, the Nairobi gubernatorial aspirant explained that he was a member of Jubilee Party and decamped to Deputy President William Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Sakaja further stated that he will participate in the UDA nomination exercise slotted for April 14, where he will square off with former Starehe MP Bishop Margaret Wanjiru for the party's ticket.
“When did I join ANC? I was in Jubilee and when I left I went straight to UDA. We are now gearing up for nominations on April 14,” he told the People Daily.
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File image of Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja. |Photo| Courtesy|[/caption]
The Nairobi Senator has long been thought to be a member of ANC following his prior support for Mudavadi's presidential ambitions.
Sakaja has been moving around the country with Mudavadi and was present in the former Vice President's meetings with Kenya Kwanza grassroots leaders on Wednesday, April 6.
The senator's entry into UDA poses a fresh challenge for DP Ruto, especially after Wanjiru alleged that there are individuals within the party aiming to frustrate her bid.
However, a recent poll revealed that Sakaja is far more popular than Wanjiru in Nairobi and a section of voters are still undecided on who to vote for and are awaiting the conclusion of party nominations.
Speaking to the publication, Wanjiru stated that she is aware Sakaja is a member of UDA and welcomes the competition ahead of the party primaries.
“Yes, I am aware that he is in UDA and he is just coming to spoil (for me). Let him know that I am ready to face him in the nominations. Nitamfunza vile siasa za Nairobi zinafanywa (I will teach him how Nairobi politics is done),” Wanjiru said.
She acknowledged the pact between Ruto and Mudavadi but noted that nothing would stop her from contesting the Nairobi gubernatorial seat.
“Who does not know that I was the first person to declare that I will vie for Nairobi on UDA? I have been active on the ground consolidating my base. Some of the individuals you are hearing that are vying for governor are just clueless, they do not know what they want in life,” she said.
Sakaja is said to have paid his UDA nomination fees a while back but maintained a low profile.
Wanjiru and Sakaja have a rivalry that a few weeks ago played out in public during a rally led by Mudavadi and FORD-Kenya leader Moses Wetangula in Nairobi.
[caption id="attachment_10450" align="alignnone" width="985"]
File image of Senator Johnson Sakaja and Bishop Margaret Wanjiru during a rally in Nairobi on Tuesday, February 1, 2022. |Photo| Courtesy|[/caption]
File image of Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja. |Photo| Courtesy|[/caption]
The Nairobi Senator has long been thought to be a member of ANC following his prior support for Mudavadi's presidential ambitions.
Sakaja has been moving around the country with Mudavadi and was present in the former Vice President's meetings with Kenya Kwanza grassroots leaders on Wednesday, April 6.
The senator's entry into UDA poses a fresh challenge for DP Ruto, especially after Wanjiru alleged that there are individuals within the party aiming to frustrate her bid.
However, a recent poll revealed that Sakaja is far more popular than Wanjiru in Nairobi and a section of voters are still undecided on who to vote for and are awaiting the conclusion of party nominations.
Speaking to the publication, Wanjiru stated that she is aware Sakaja is a member of UDA and welcomes the competition ahead of the party primaries.
“Yes, I am aware that he is in UDA and he is just coming to spoil (for me). Let him know that I am ready to face him in the nominations. Nitamfunza vile siasa za Nairobi zinafanywa (I will teach him how Nairobi politics is done),” Wanjiru said.
She acknowledged the pact between Ruto and Mudavadi but noted that nothing would stop her from contesting the Nairobi gubernatorial seat.
“Who does not know that I was the first person to declare that I will vie for Nairobi on UDA? I have been active on the ground consolidating my base. Some of the individuals you are hearing that are vying for governor are just clueless, they do not know what they want in life,” she said.
Sakaja is said to have paid his UDA nomination fees a while back but maintained a low profile.
Wanjiru and Sakaja have a rivalry that a few weeks ago played out in public during a rally led by Mudavadi and FORD-Kenya leader Moses Wetangula in Nairobi.
[caption id="attachment_10450" align="alignnone" width="985"] File image of Senator Johnson Sakaja and Bishop Margaret Wanjiru during a rally in Nairobi on Tuesday, February 1, 2022. |Photo| Courtesy|[/caption] What's Your Reaction?
