Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero with Senator Mike Sonko during a past meeting. Photo: zipo.co.ke
Top Jubilee Party strategists are scratching their heads over the possibility that Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko could vie for governor as an independent candidate.
Sonko has declared he will only accept the outcome of Jubilee Party nominations if they are free and fair.
The senator, who is in a feud with fellow aspirant Peter Kenneth, has also said he cannot step down or work with the former Gatanga Member of Parliament.
This simply means, he will not relinquish is gubernatorial ambitions, in case he loses in the Jubilee primaries to be held in April.
The party’s strategists fear that if Sonko vies as an independent candidate, he will split Nairobi votes, thus giving ODM’s Governor Evans Kidero an advantage - and a loss for Jubilee.
Kenneth has also said he can no longer hold a conversation with the controversial senator, after he hurled insults at him during a live television interview.
“I have now changed my mind, I do not want a consensus. Let us meet at the ballot,” said Kenneth.
Sonko, on his part, has exuded confidence in trouncing Kenneth in the primaries.
“My main opponent in the Nairobi race is Kidero not this other person (Kenneth),” said Sonko.
Sonko says Jubilee is gambling with an unpopular candidate in Nairobi.
“The Opposition has already given Governor Kidero direct nomination, why should Jubilee gamble while it is clear who the people want?”
The Jubilee party, led by President Uhuru Kenyatta, is keen to capture Nairobi’s top elective seat after losing in the 2013 general election.
The President and his deputy William Ruto, have recently declared that Nairobi gubernatorial seat is a “must win” for Jubilee.
They argue that a Jubilee win will change the face of the City and the country’s capital.
They have accused Governor Kidero of running down the City.
"You know what sufferings the Nairobi County Government has caused you for the last four years. If you want a government that will benefit you then you have to register as a voter," said Uhuru on February 9 during a Jubilee rally.
He continued, "The problem is that a majority of you go back in the village to vote. List and vote here in Nairobi. How will voting in the village help your business in Nairobi? Vote in Nairobi because here is where you live.”
DP Ruto, at the same rally said, “"Nairobi County Government must be Jubilee come 2017. Or do you want Nairobi government to be run by ODM? You must register as a voter so that we can develop Nairobi."
All eyes will now be on Sonko after the Jubilee party nominations, in case he missed the ticket.