Raila backs Ken Ngondi for Nairobi Speaker’s Job as Abbas Khalif set for Majority leader position
The Orange Democratic Movement Party leader Raila Odinga has called on Nairobi Azimio MCAs to back former Deputy Speaker Ken Ngondi for the Nairobi City County Assembly position.
Raila who met the over 40 MCAs in Nairobi called on the legislators to remain united if they want to take charge of the city assembly.
“ You must work togethr so that you deliever your oversight mandate properly by ensuring that you take control of the house,” Raila said.
Ngondi has been battling for the position together with ODM Director of Legal Affairs Anthony Muturi while and Jubilee’s Harrison Wangoro.
The battle has however narrowed down to a two horse race where Ngondi is expected to face of with incumbent Benson Mutura of Kenya Kwanza.
South C MCA Abbas Khalifa is also expected to take charge as the Majority leader at the expense of Makongeni MCA Peter Imwatol who was widely expected to take over the position.
Khalif who has been elected for the first time is believed to be enjoying majority support from the Azimio MCAs.
Azimio leaders had earmarked the Speaker’s position for the ODM party since the governor and deputy governor candidates were from Jubilee and Wiper.
Jubilee elected MCAs initially wanted the position of the speaker to be set aside for the party arguing that the outfit lost the majority of seats in the county due to party zoning which has greatly benefited the ODM party.
However,Mihango MCA Paul Kados of Jubilee has confirmed that the party is ready and willing to back Ken Ngondi.
At the meeting with Raila,the MCAs were told to vote for their favorite majority leader with negotiations already underway.
The county has 85 elected MCAs with Raila’s Azimio coalition bagging a majority of 45 MCAs, of which 35 are elected on an ODM ticket, Jubilee (six) while Kalonzo Musyoka’s Wiper party got four seats.
The Assembly is expected to resume next week once Governor Johnson Sakaja gazzetes its resumption.
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