NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 21- Westland Member of Parliament Timothy Wanyonyi says his quest to become the next Nairobi Governor is still on, even after State House brokered a deal to have him as a running mate to former Deputy Governor Polycarp Igathe.
Wanyonyi is vying on an Orange Democratic Movement ticket while Igathe is seeking the governor’s seat on the ruling Jubilee party’s ticket.
Wanyonyi on Wednesday continued rooting for his candidature. Wanyonyi has been campaigning for the seat for a much longer period than Igathe and has been placed by opinion polls as one of the leading contestants.
Others are Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja, who will be vying on a United Democratic Alliance ticket.
Wanyonyi has warned that any political miscalculation within the Raila Odinga-led Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya alliance could hand Sakaja victory.
Others seeking the same position on the Jubilee ticket include Governor Anne Kananu, businessman Richard Ngatia, and Anne Kagure.
Wanyonyi on Wednesday held a closed-door meeting with Kagure. It is not yet clear whether the two are likely to work together on a joint ticket.
President Kenyatta and Odinga are expected to have the final say on who will run under the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya alliance for East Africa’s largest city.
A section of leaders from the Luhya community living in Nairobi have supported Wanyonyi.
Westland’s MP aspirant Phillip Kisia said the Luhya community has been loyal for many years and supported Odinga, adding that this should earn them respect.
“Luhyas we are number two in Nairobi and we have to be respected,” he said.
The leaders also gave five demands that the Azimio-OKA leadership must meet for the community’s support, including the City governor and senator positions.
Leaders present during the press briefing held on Wednesday included ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna and former Nairobi speaker Beatrice Elachi and George Aladwa.
Others were a section of Members of the County Assembly from the community.
“Wanyonyi was the only Gubernatorial candidate for ODM. The issue is not with ODM but with our other partners within Azimio. As ODM, we still stand behind Wanyonyi and we believe he is the best candidate for the Nairobi seat,” Sifuna said.
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