Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has denied allegations of a supremacy battle between him and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for the leadership of the UDA party in Nairobi County.

Speaking on Thursday, Sakaja expressed dissatisfaction with the DP’s involvement in the UDA party leadership problem.

The Governor stated that there was absolutely no cause for him and the Gachagua to be fighting.

He stated that he respects the DP and considers him to be his senior in most aspects of life, including politics.

“We have to sit down and agree on how to strengthen the party. I am not happy that people are bringing in the deputy president on the issue of UDA leadership in Nairobi. That we are fighting, what are we fighting for? I don’t want to be deputy president and I don’t think he wants to be governor of Nairobi.

“I respect him, he is older than me, and he is my senior politically and in terms of position. I have never talked ill about anyone, including those who always insult me,” Sakaja said on Inooro TV.

There has been rumors of a split within the ruling UDA party about who should be the party’s next chairperson in Nairobi County.

According to the accusations, while Sakaja has expressed an interest in becoming chairman, the Deputy President supports Embakasi North MP James Gakuya.

Sakaja declared his candidacy for the UDA chairmanship last week.

Speaking on Friday during a meeting with UDA-aligned County Assembly members, Sakaja stated that he is definitely in the running to lead party members in the county.

“I want you to get this from the horse’s mouth; I’m vying for the Nairobi chairmanship position in United Democratic Alliance party,” Sakaja said.

The meeting with MCAs came ahead of the grassroots elections scheduled to begin on Friday.