Sonko threatens to back UDA candidate in Mombasa governor contest
Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has threatened to throw his weight behind UDA party in the forthcoming Mombasa gubernatorial contest if his running mate is not cleared to vie.
Speaking to a local TV station, Sonko, who was disqualified from the race over integrity issues, said his running mate, Kisauni MP Ali Mbogo, should be allowed to represent the Wiper party in the polls slated for August 9.
He threatened to ditch the Wiper party for Kenya Kwanza's UDA if his demands are not met.
According to the former county boss, he would rather support UDA's Hassan Omar than ODM party candidate Abdulswamad Nassir, who he claims is a 'state project'. Nassir has the backing of Azimio la Umoja - One Kenya coalition, an outfit that enjoys support from Kalonzo Musyoka's Wiper party.
"I was cleared alongside my Deputy Governor Ali Mbogo. The impeachment was for Sonko not for Mbogo. We are pleading with IEBC and the government to clear Ali Mbogo to vie as governor," Sonko told TV47 in an interview on Thursday.
"If they fail we are not going to support a puppet we will support Hassan Omar and UDA instead of supporting a puppet and a project."
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) revoked Sonko's clearance to run for governor after the Supreme Court upheld his impeachment as Nairobi Governor.
Sonko challenges Supreme Court ruling
Sonko is seeking a review of the judgment at the same court.
At the same time, the former governor has filed an appeal at the East African Court of Justice to challenge the decision of the Supreme Court.
He says the decision of the Supreme Court and courts of Kenya was arrived at in an unjust manner.
Its effect, he says, is to curtail his political rights and the people he represents.
"The decision of the Kenyan judicial arm is tainted with illegality as the decision of the high court as upheld by the Supreme Court was influenced through corrupt means," he said.
He wants the EAC court to suspend the execution of the decision by the Supreme Court pending a hearing and determination of his appeal.
