Jubilee leaders in show of unity amid claims of fallout in Nairobi race
Jubilee leaders from Nairobi County Monday pushed a united front amid concerns that the impending competitive party nominations may lead to a fallout.
The leaders met with Nairobi MCAs allied to the new party who were led by minority leader Abdi Guyo. They said that the four of them running for the governor’s seat will support the one that wins the party’s ticket.
Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko, Nominated MP Johnson Sakaja, Dagoretti South MP Dennis Waweru, and former Starehe MP Bishop Margaret Wanjiru are all battling it out for the coveted Jubilee Party ticket.
March 2013 presidential candidate Peter Kenneth and former Speaker of the National Assembly Kenneth Marende have also expressed interest in the seat and may run on a Jubilee ticket.
SONKO LEFT MEETING
Senator Sonko left the meeting before the press conference but his colleagues said he had other engagements.
“We have decided that whatever happens, we know who our opponent is and is not among us. It is Dr Evans Kidero. And we will remove him from office in the next few months,” said Mr Sakaja who read a statement on behalf of the others.
While the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord) team has said no one in its ranks will oppose the current governor, the Jubilee team has to battle it out in the nominations.
Given the explosive campaigns ran by the four leaders, the Jubilee party will have a hard day convincing those of the losing team to support the winner.
But on Monday, at the party’s new county offices along Waiyaki Way, the leaders said all was well.
“The four of us who want to be governor are united and are looking at ways to trounce Dr Kidero in 2017,” said Mr Waweru.
“We want to paint the whole of Nairobi Jubilee, and we have agreed to support whoever clinches the ticket.”
STRONGER
Starehe MP Maina Kamanda said the coalition will come out stronger after the party nominations.
“The nominations will be done by IEBC. Therefore, there is really nothing to worry anybody,” said Mr Kamanda.
Mr Kamanda said the views of everyone will be considered and called for the party to release details of what aspirants to pay for a fast registration.
