Nairobi gubernatorial contest takes shape amid push for consensus

The stakes for the Nairobi governorship contest have taken shape ahead of the August polls amid push for consensus by leading political outfits allied to Azimio La Umoja and Kenya Kwanza political umbrella bodies aligned to Raila Odinga and President Kenyatta while the latter is being championed by Deputy President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Amani National Congress of Musalia Mudavadi respectively.

Already, top guns comprising of seasoned politicians and business titans have declared interest but the seat is said to be a compromise of the national politics.

However, impeccable sources privy with the goings told The Informer the two handshake partners Kenyatta and Odinga are likely to introduce Polycarp Igathe as a surprise Azimio candidate for Nairobi deputized by an ODM candidate.

Igathe, a seasoned private sector player and a banker was Sonko’s deputy but resigned following and acrimonious fallout before the former was impeached.

Nairobi being a largely cosmopolitan county with deep national and international community interests, both leading political formations are seeking to have candidates with proven track record, good managerial skills and untainted individuals who can attract support across the political divide.

Under Azimio, according to insiders, Mt Kenya region who form the largest vote bloc in the city are seeking to have the governorship post while Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) considering to cede the top seat and settle for the deputy governor’s post.

The Kenya Kwanza bringing together UDA, ANC and Senator Moses Wetangula’s Ford Kenya Party are yet to agree on the position sharing formula but ANC is proposing to have the city boss seat, UDA candidate to deputise while Ford Kenya will be granted Nairobi County Assembly Speakers seat.

However, UDA is opposed to the proposal fronting a hardline position their candidate must contest for the governor’s post.

Among the Azimio frontrunners who have declared interests to contest include businesswoman Agnes Kagure, Westlands Member of Parliament Timothy Wanyonyi, current governor Ann Kananu and Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry President (KNCCI) Richard Ngatia.

Kagure, Ngatia and Kananu are banking on endorsement by the handshake partners, President Kenyatta and Raila under Azimio la Umoja ticket.

Former Starehe MP Bishop Margaret Wanjiru is seeking to run on UDA ticket while Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja is said to be angling choose ANC as his political vehicle.

While there’s a provision for independent candidates, it remains an option to be exploited.

“I’m yet to see a worthy competitor to take me head on, come August 9. Not Tim Wanyonyi, Johnson Sakaja, Agnes Kagure, or Margaret Wanjiru. Nairobians, we can do better than these people. I’m confident I will be elected Governor of Nairobi County by a landslide,” she said.

It is not yet clear whether impeached former Nairobi governor Mike.

Sonko will be seeking to return to City Hall.

Wanjiru is running on the mantra of bottom-up, which is Deputy President campaign agenda, seeking to empower mostly the haves not.

“My mission is to empower communities; 56 Progressive Youth were delighted to receive this water tank for their business. As the next Governor, I am committed to ensure Nairobians get constant supply of clean water,” Wanjiru, who will be vying on a UDA ticket said.

While announcing her candidature, Kagure unveiled a five-point agenda that she said will transform Nairobi if elected.

“I want to move Nairobi from being the city of lamentation to the city of jubilation,” she said.

Westlands MP Timothy Wanyonyi who was the first to launch his bid for the gubernatorial seat last year said if elected he will bring something which his predecessors lacked in leadership; integrity and professionalism.

For the past 15 years, Wanyonyi has served Nairobi, first as a nominated councilor between 2007 and 2013 and then as MP for Westlands constituency since 2013.

The incumbent Senator of Nairobi Johnson Sakaja also plans to run for the gubernatorial seat.

He has since shifted his political allegiance from the ruling Jubilee Party and now supports Musalia Mudavadi’s led Amani National Congress (ANC). He will be vying on ANC ticket.

Makadara MP George Aladwa is also expected to officially unveil his gubernatorial campaign for the Nairobi.

The vocal legislator said that he will be seeking the ODM ticket for the seat, insisting that he is the best bet to take over the mantle as the fourth governor of the capital city.

Aladwa is expected to officially launch his bid this month.

“I want to make it clear that I will be in the race and I am doing it for the people because they want me to move to the next level,” Aladwa added.

A recent survey conducted by Mizani placed Richard Ngatia, the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) President, as the most preferred City Hall boss at 29.2 per cent.

Political pundits say the choice of a running mate will be the game changer for the contest.