3 Rival Azimio Factions Emerge In Quest For Nairobi Governor's Seat

By Adieri Mulaa

As Ngatia Steals The Show In Vote – Rich Eastlands Suburbs during his inaugural meet the people tour

Gubernatorial campaigns in Nairobi have gained momentum as three rival factions emerged among aspirants in Azimio La Umoja movement at the weekend.

On Sunday, three gubernatorial aspirants vouching for ODM leader Raila Odinga to be elected president on Azimio ticket in the August 9th General Election held separate campaign events in the city.

In one of the campaign meetings at the weekend, ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and former Dagoretti South MP Denis Waweru appeared to be aligned to a faction backing Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi in his bid for the governor’s seat.

Wanyonyi has already formerly declared his candidature and asserts that he will go the whole hog to the nominations. The two term ODM legislator previously served as a city councillor in Nairobi in defunct local authorities system.

On 2nd February, 2022, Wanyonyi together with Sifuna, Passaris, Waweru and Nairobi town clerk emeritus Philip Kisia attended a meeting organized by Western Elites Association at the United Kenya Club to share their vision for Nairobi.

The Westlands legislator, his ODM party Secretary General Sifuna and former Jubilee legislator Waweru, were on a campaign trail in Githurai 44 area on Sunday where the duo drummed up support for Wanyonyi.

***Nairobi gubernatorial aspirant Richard Ngatia with Senator Beatrice Kwamboka on a meet the people tour in Eastlands on Sunday***

In a separate event, another gubernatorial aspirant Richard Ngatia made a grand entry into the vote – rich Eastlands suburbs where he stole the show on his inaugural campaign trail in the area.

The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry president got a warm reception from cheering and chanting residents who waved and applauded him, some from building roof tops, and on the road sides where his convoy snaked through the residential areas.

Ngatia’s itinerary for the day included Ziwani Sports Ground, where the popular Koth Biro Football Tournament matches were hosted.

“I have come to ask you for your votes as residents of Nairobi. I want to be governor of this city so that I can revive the collapsed public services. I want our county markets to be run smoothly so that your businesses can prosper”, he told residents in Gikomba, Burma and Muthurwa areas.

***Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Richard Ngatia acknowledges cheers and applause from city residents on his Sunday campaign trail in Eastlands***

The flamboyant business magnet was accompanied by leaders among them nominated Senator Beatrice Kwamboka, former Gatanga MP and Azimio La Umoja luminary Peter Kenneth, nominated MP Maina Kamanda, Makadara MP George Aladwa, former Makadara MP Reuben Ndolo and several Nairobi MCAs.

Ngatia’s day long campaign trail took him through Burma, Gikomba, Ziwani, Jogoo Road, Mlango Kubwa, Pangani, Muthurwa and Majengo areas.

He promised to continue developing public markets in the residential suburbs to ensure city residents have food security and access to fresh farm produce.

“I will personally tour all the city residential suburbs and the industrial area to know the immediate needs of our people so that we can make it a priority if I am elected to office”, said Ngatia.

He made several stop overs to acknowledge support from cheering supporters. He also addressed crowds which gathered in various locations chanting slogans in his support.

***Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris, Westlands Legislator Tim Wanyonyi and former Dagoretti South MP Denis Waweru at a meeting organized by Western Elites Association.***

Nonetheless, Nairobi governor Ann Kananu who seeks to recapture the coveted seat she inherited from her impeached predecessor Mike Sonko also held separate campaign events on Sunday.

I want to give an assurance that come August 9th, 2022, I will be on the gubernatorial ballot in Nairobi”, she told a church congregation in Kariokor.

Her team comprised of Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris and former Kasarani MP Elizabeth Ongoro.
Governor Kananu said having tasted the seat, she was seeking a fresh term to serve Nairobians because she now understands the services city residents require.

“Mimi ningependa kuwaambia kama mama nawaomba tano fresh. Ile niko nayo nilionjeshwa, nimeonja na nimejua shida ziko wapi. Na mimi najua mukinipatia miaka tano, I will be able to deal with the issues that are there”, she said.

Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja, for Starehe legislator Bishop Margaret Wanjiru in the Kenya Kwanza Alliance and insurance executive Agnes Gakure have also indicated their intension to run for the governor’s seat.
Among them, Ms Gakure has already formerly launched her bid.