Which way for Nairobi City Politics
Nairobi gubernatorial race is gaining momentum as top rival coalitions settle on different candidates in a bit to wow the electorate and have control over the city. Kenya kwanza has fronted the current senator, Jonson Sakaja, while Azimio has fronted Polycarp Igathe.
Initially, Sakaja was to face off with Bishop Wanjiru in nominations. Still, they had a consensus that saw Sakaja settling as the coalition City boss candidate while Wanjiru was fronted as the coalition’s senatorial candidate. On the other side, Azimio had Richard Ngatia and Tim Wanyonyi. The two had already launched their campaigns, ready to hit the road. Their respective party officials had endorsed them. Their dream ended when it emerged that a section of influential individuals was fronting Igathe. The cooperate guru once served as deputy governor of Nairobi under Mike Sonko before resigning. He has already been named the coalition candidate to be deputized by Prof. Kaloki.
Will Igathe, a man, seen to have luck on his side, get the seat in the 9th August elections? The self-made corporate Guru will be trying his first stub on a gubernatorial bid which has more to do than boardroom meetings. In a recent interview with a local media station, he was recorded saying his team would beat Sakaja at 8.57 am.
Nairobi is perceived as Odinga’s stronghold despite Jubilee making inroads in the 2017election. To Igathe’s advantage, both Jubilee and ODM support one candidate who will see all their supporters cast their votes in one basket.
Just after Hon Raila declared Igathe the coalition candidate, Tim Wanyonyi was seen with Sakaja the same evening. What was discussed in their meet-up remains unknown up to now. The coalition had resolved that Tim vies for the Westlands seat again, where he is currently the MP.
In the senatorial race, Azimio is fronting Edwin Sifuna as its preferred candidate. Sifuna is set to face off with bishop Wanjiru of UDA on the 9th of August elections.
Kenya kwanza has fronted Millicent Omanga for Nairobi woman rep, while Azimio has settled on the incumbent, Esther Passaris.
Every coalition is keen on winning a good number of elective posts in Nairobi county so that they can effectively deliver their agenda should they clinch the presidential victory.
The parties are free to field candidates in various parts of the county, although zoning is still shaping the perceived affiliate party stronghold. Some candidates have not been subjected to the nomination. These parties have been carrying out opinion polls, and the leading candidate is given the ticket as per the opinion polls. This move has seen several people shifting their support. The first one to be affected by this move is Strarehe MP Jaguar. UDA carried out opinion polls in Starehe and settled on Simon Mbugua against the incumbent Jaguar. This did not go well with Jaguar. He has vowed to go as an independent candidate in the general election.
