Did Sonko walk out of meeting with Raila?

Sources reveal that the former Nairobi Governor  may have held a meeting with ODM leader Raila Odinga but the two allegedly disagreed on various issues touching on the Building Bridges Initiative.

It is now emerging that former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko held a half hour meeting with opposition leader Raila Odinga but the two may have failed to agree on issues related to the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) campaigns in Nairobi.

Contrary to media reports that the governor unsuccessfully tried to meet Mr. Odinga, the two leaders are said to have met in the company of Embakasi East MP and another city legislator who joined them later.

The meeting according to our sources happened before Mr Odinga met representatives of Githurai residence ahead of a scheduled BBI campaign in the area.

Our source indicated that the two leaders held a phone call discussion a day before the Capital Hill meeting that was done secretly.

Mr. Odinga handlers are said to have advised him to reach out to the controversial former city boss,who still enjoys large support across the county. Sonko’s first assignment according to the plan that now stands aborted, was to host Mr Odinga in Githurai when he tours the area to drum up support for the BBI report.

Githurai is largely dominated by people from central Kenya and is seen as the gateway to the populous Nairobi County.

But what exactly may have prompted Mr Odinga to ponder the idea of bringing Sonko on board despite his party ODM having playing a major roll in the impeachment of the former governor.

Our source revealed that Mr. Odinga has been looking for someone who can appeal and engage Jubilee supporters in the City on matters BBI.This comes after a section of DP William Supporters were captured trying to disrupt the ODM leader’s meet the people tour at Burma market in along Jogoo road a fortnight ago.

Fears of meeting rebellious crowds in areas perceived to be pro-Ruto may also have prompted some ODM leaders in the city to think of bringing Sonko on board.

It is also believed that Mr Odinga has been advised that ODM currently lacks a strong political figure who can independently   mobilize huge support without the input of the party leader. The party largely depended on former Governor Evans Kidero to fund political activities around the city. He has however switched camp to Homabay County where he wants to be elected the next governor.

Back to the Capital Hill Meeting,Mr Odinga is said to have promised to help the governor win his court cases and to secure his political future ahead of the 2022 elections.

“ The governor was promised help on court issues and his political future but he was not satisfied with the sincerity of the proposal,” our said said.

He added that upon noting that the meeting was unsuccessful. Odinga’s handlers were quick enough to share a twisted side of the proceedings fearing that the governor, known for his social media controversy, would post something demeaning to their boss.

A section of the media quoted Mr Odinga’s personal assistant Dennis Onyango who said the governor was impatient and tried to force himself to the office.

This is the second time the two leaders have been linked to secret meetings from the time the governor was faced with the impeachment debacle.

Sonko has publcy fallen out with President Uhuru Kenyatta and has been seen in DP Ruto’s public functions.

About The Author