Wanyonyi, Ngatia rivalry heats up as leaders take sides
The rivalry of aspirants eyeing the Nairobi governor’s seat on Azimio La Umoja ticket escalated yesterday after they held different rallies in the capital with each trying to outshine the other.
One camp vouching for Westlands MP Timothy Wanyonyi attended mass at Christian New Hope Ministries in Githurai 44 while businessman Richard Ngatia’s faction held rallies in the city’s Eastlands area.
Wanyonyi was accompanied by ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, Nairobi Woman Rep Esther Passaris and former Dagoretti South MP Dennis Waweru.
“We are fully behind Wanyonyi. His track record during his tenure as MP is very clear. We want to send a very clear message that though we welcome visitors in Azimio La Umoja, we don’t want to have people who have a tainted past,” said Sifuna.
As they spoke, Ngatia’s camp drummed up support for his candidature in Eastlands.
Lost glory
Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, Nominated MP Maina Kamanda and former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth made stopovers in Burma market, Shauri Moyo, Kariokor before addressing a rally at Ziwani grounds.
Kieni MP Kanini Kega, Nominated Senator Beatrice Kwamboka and several Nairobi MCAs also attended the rally which culminated in a football tournament.
The leaders described Ngatia as the solution to the many problems facing the city.
“Everyone knows that Nairobi has lost its glory. We elected leaders who can’t manage a city. But today we have one who has that potential. Ngatia is a manager who has a proven track record. He is the best person to lead this city,” said Oparanya.
Oparanya is the ODM deputy leader and his endorsement of Ngatia is likely to spark debate about the party’s stand.
The two rallies yesterday were a clear indication that the Azimio La Umoja camp leaders are reading from different scripts when it comes to the city governorship.
Wanyonyi has vowed to go all the way to the ballot and dismissed claims that he would step down for Ngatia.
“Some of my competitors who are already sensing defeat are busy spreading propaganda that I will step down for someone else. Let them know that I am in this race to the end,” Wanyonyi said.
Kamanda told People Daily that they are looking for a running mate for Ngatia who should have roots in Western Kenya.
“We are still looking for the best candidate to deputise Ngatia. We want the deputy to come from the Luhya community,” said Kamanda.
Makadara MP George Aladwa has been mentioned as one of the possible candidates.
But when contacted, Aladwa remained non-committal.
“A lot is taking place. There are even some who are saying that I am behind Wanyonyi which is not true. I am a veteran in Nairobi and nothing prevents me from vying for the seat myself,” he said.
Others in the race are Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja, former Starehe MP Margaret Wanjiru and businesswoman Agnes Kagure.
Sakaja and Wanjiru lean towards the Kenya Kwanza Alliance of Deputy President William Ruto and Musalia Mudavadi while Wanyonyi, Kagure and Bgatia support Azimio La Umoja.
