President Uhuru Kenyatta and Nairobi governor Mike Sonko in a past event. Sonko says he won’t be defending his seat in 2022. [Photo|diasporamessenger.com]
Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko could be eyeing to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2022, political analyst Peter Ngure has said.
Ngure notes that Sonko’s recent statement that he will not be defending his seat in the 2022 general election is an automatic indication that he will be battling it out with others to succeed President Kenyatta whose terms ends in 2022.
In an interview on Friday, Ngure said that Sonko’s statement cannot be ignored, noting that the Nairobi governor has what it takes to contest for the top seat.
He said that Sonko’s statement will send jitters in the Jubilee camp as 2022 succession politics start to play out.
“Governor Sonko’s statement that he won’t be defending his seat in 2022 could be an indication that he will be lining up to succeed Uhuru Kenyatta,” he said.
The analyst said that Sonko’s popularity, especially in the city, could propel him to power or create major political alignments in 2022.
“Sonko is considered among politicians with huge following especially because of his philanthropic style of politics,” he said.
Ngure at the same time observed that Sonko’s move not to defend his seat in 2022 could be an indication of the alleged frosty relationship with his deputy Polycarp Igathe.
There have been media speculations that Sonko and Igathe are not in good terms and that City Hall is allegedly being controlled by State House.
Sonko has severally denied claims of ‘bad blood’ with Igathe, noting that they are in good terms and working to better the living standards of Nairobians.
On Thursday, Sonko said that he will not be defending his seat come 2022.
The Jubilee governor said that he has never contested for any political seat twice. Sonko, however, did not make it clear on his next move come 2022.
Succession politics is already playing out with serval politicians eyeing to succeed Uhuru Kenyatta whose term end in 2022.
Deputy President William Ruto is expected to fly the Jubilee presidential ticket with the support of Uhuru as per the Jubilee Party Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua, Mombasa’s Hassan Joho, and Amason Kingi (Kilifi) are among other top politicians who have so far declared an interest in the 2022 presidential seat.
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