Nairobi senator Mike Sonko has told off his opponents over claims that he had withdrawn from the Nairobi governor contest insisting that he is firmly in the race.
In a statement sent to newsrooms, Sonko also clarified that he is firmly in the race and will participate in the primaries slated for Monday and urged his supporters in the 17 sub-counties to turn out in large numbers.
He denied claims that he had been offered Cabinet slot for him to withdraw his candidature in support of another candidate terming the said remarks as propaganda meant to portray him as disrespectful to President Uhuru Kenyatta whom he said is personal friend as well divert attention of the voters ahead of the Jubilee nominations.
He also termed the rumors and propaganda being spread through electronic, print as well as various social media platforms that he has withdrawn from the race in support of another candidate are only meant to confuse my supporters and should be ignored.
“That Senator Mike Sonko has never and shall never withdraw from the Nairobi Gubernatorial race and that I wish to assure my supporters across the 17 constituencies that they should come out in their large numbers to exercise democratic right and cast their votes as the Jubilee Party nominee on Monday April 24 2017 at their respective polling centres,” he said.
In a veiled attack at his rival, Peter Kenneth, who is also vying for the said seat, Sonko told Nairobians “not to replace the current governor Evans Kidero with another Kidero”.
He said there is no way he will accept to withdraw his candidature in favor of a candidate who is a “failure” and who would not reclaim Nairobi City County from the opposition.
Further, he was categorical that he will not be intimidated by tribal leaders pretending to control Nairobi politics, saying his leadership style has no ethnic boundaries, tribe, religion or political affiliation.