Former Nairobi governor, Mike Mbuvi Sonko, claims he declined a direct nomination from Deputy President William Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA) to run for the Nairobi top seat.
Sonko, while receiving his nomination certificate at the Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka Command Center in Karen, Nairobi, on Tuesday, April 26, stated that he declined the offer after having a conversation with his Wiper party boss.
According to Sonko, despite the deal being enticing, he had to drop it and take Kalonzo's offer to contest for the same post in Mombasa.
"Kalonzo is a father figure to me, he is like my relative. Actually, I had a direct nomination ticket for UDA in Nairobi but because of the respect I give to Kalonzo, I decided to respect his offer," stated Sonko.
The former governor noted that Nairobi residents had promised to elect him irrespective of the party, a factor he had considered before making the final decision.
Sonko disputed reports that his candidature for the Mombasa seat was a ploy to spoil votes for some aspirants arguing that he has what it takes to lead the coastal city and transform the lives of its residents.
Sonko also siezed the moment to drum up support for Kalonzo to be picked as Raila Odinga's running mate in the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition party presidential ticket noting that he was the most qualified and suited candidate for the job.
He went ahead to note that Kalonzo was the most suitable candidate to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta but shelved his ambitions in favour of Raila.
The stage is set for the Mombasa county gubernatorial contest with Sonko set to face off with Orange Democratic Movement's (ODM) Abdulswamad Nassir and the United Democratic Alliance's (UDA) Hassan Omar Hassan.
The county has initially been touted as Raila's 'bedroom', with a majority of voters leaning to his political faction.
However, UDA claims the tide has turned in its favour, further adding that Kenya Kwanza will take over the region's leadership.
