Political analyst Prof Herman Manyora now says that Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko might emerge as the next president after the much-awaited 2022 presidential elections.
While the debate currently revolves around Deputy President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga, Manyora says that the county boss could beat both in a race.
Speaking in Saturday, he said that should the constitution remain as it is currently, Sonko possesses everything needed to defeat both to emerge the fifth President of Kenya.
In the case of Raila, he said, Sonko has already convinced Kenyans that he can deliver, compared to Raila who is still being accused of doing nothing in his many years in politics.
"Sonko would have to compete against Raila with his ideas, but Sonko would do things that people believe should be done. In the past he has some things which educated men like Kidero could not," he said.
He made the remarks in his weekly YouTube analysis channel Take It or Leave It.
He added that the county boss could as well crush Ruto who appears to be riding on the hustler narrative to woo Kenyans, observing that the governor is more of a hustler than him.
He observed that Sonko's poor background is more visible than Ruto's, which would make it easier for him to stand out.
"The conditions in this country can allow a Sonko to be President. As Ruto plays a hustler card, I think Sonko has a higher hustler card. He is the epitome of a person who has come from nowhere. Ruto cannot play a hustler card against hustler number one," he added.
The university don added that the country is also likely to follow the emerging trend where controversial people are elected into power, giving examples with US President Donald Trump.
However, Sonko is yet to declare any presidential ambitions, as is the case with Raila, with Ruto's already in the public domain.