A ruling by the High Court in Mombasa to allow Mike Sonko to contest for Mombasa governor seat has triggered heightened politics at the Coast.
The three-judge bench consisting of Justices Olga Sewe, Stephen Githinji and Anne Ong’injo ordered the Independent, Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and the Mombasa Returning Officer Swalha Ibrahim to accept nomination papers submitted by Sonko.
The judges also declared that Sonko is eligible under the Constitution to contest as a candidate for the position of governor Mombasa.
Barely 25 days to elections, Sonko’s candidature for the top seat in the port city will stir conflict in the coalition given Orange Democratic Movement party has also fielded Mvita Memeber of Parliament Abdulswamad Nassir.
Sonko, who is vying on Wiper party ticket, is today expected to join the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition’s presidential candidate’s rally in Mombasa, two months after he was blocked by his opponents from accessing a similar event at Mkomani Grounds in Nyali, Mombasa.
In May, the former Nairobi governor was forced to leave Azimio rally in Mkomani, Mombasa after chaos erupted.
Police shot in the air and lobbed teargas canisters after supporters of rival camps clashed.
Earlier, Sonko also attended President Uhuru Kenyatta’s function at Embakasi East in Nairobi where he drummed up support for Raila and Martha Karua.
Sonko asked Nairobi residents to vote for Nairobi gubernatorial candidate, Polycarp Igathe, whom they opined was better placed to continue with Uhuru’s work in Nairobi county.
The Azimio la Umoja is keen to tap into Sonko’s influence in Mombasa and Nairobi.
His endearment with Azimio could benefit the candidacy of Igathe, who will face off with United Democratic Alliance’s Johnson Sakaja.
Sonko’s national appeal to the youths in Nairobi will serve as a blow to Kenya Kwanza.
He will use his influence in Nairobi to rally support for Igathe this is after Sakaja emerged as the most appealing candidate to the public after Monday’s gubernatorial debate.
Other candidates out to succeed Joho are former Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar Sarai of United Democratic Alliance (UDA), and deputy governor Dr William Kingi of Pamoja African Alliance (PAA).
Former Nyali MP Hezron Awiti Bollo of Vibrant Democratic Party (VDP), Shafi Makazi of Uniform Prudent Investor Act (UPIA) and Daniel Munga Kitsao (independent) are also in the race.