Nairobi County gubernatorial candidate on the UDA ticket Johnston Sakaja has resorted to copying the tactics being employed by Polycarp Igathe of the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition party as the race for top city job heats up.
Igathe has been focused on meeting ordinary Nairobians to establish a personal touch as opposed to campaigning on top of big vehicles and in rallies.
Since the former Nairobi deputy governor was unveiled as the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya candidate for the city’s top seat, Igathe has been virtually everywhere in this city.
Though he has been branded as a political no starter, his style of explaining his agenda directly to the people might have sent worrying signals to his main competitor, Johnson Sakaja.
Recently Sakaja who is also a senator for Nairobi has opted to move around the city meeting the Nairobi street food vendors among other those in informal employment.
Through his social media pages, Sakaja has been sharing photos of him having lively discussions with ‘Mama mbogas’ a style that has been perfected by Igathe.
On Thursday, May 26, the UDA gubernatorial candidate toured the Ngara market where he had one on one interactions with traders.
“We purpose to build 20 new markets for Nairobi as it is the hustlers’ hub. Everyone is working hard to earn a living and should be facilitated to do so. Ngara/Fig Tree market will be modernized for our traders and their customers to operate in dignified spaces. We want a city of order, dignity, hope, and opportunity for all.
Thank you for your overwhelming support watu wangu wa Ngara.” Sakaja said after touring the Ngara market.
The change of tactic by Sakaja has been noticed by Kenyans, as some took to social media to point out that he was just copying Igathe’s style.
“All these UDA groups have no strategies copying on what our able governor Igathe is doing,” Akengo Omwangu commented on Sakaja’s post on Facebook.
A random Twitter user Thomas Orangi said, “This guy is coping igathe…all nairobians will vote for igathe…Nairobi is not for politicians but leaders”
