COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli, who had boasted of a great relationship with Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja, sometimes referring to the latter as his son, on Thursday, April 28, announced an aggressive campaign against the senator's gubernatorial bid.
Speaking while addressing COTU shop stewards, Atwoli opined that Sakaja was no longer not suitable to become the next Nairobi Governor as he was no longer the son he had known over the years.
The trade unionist claimed that Sakaja had been corrupted after he shifted his loyalty from Jubilee under President Uhuru Kenyatta to Deputy President William Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
"When he went to the other side, he intermingled with bad people and is no longer the young man I had grown fond of. Now he walks around with thieves," he remarked
Atwoli went ahead to campaign for Sakaja's competitor, Polycarp Igathe, who will be contesting for the seat under a Jubilee party ticket under the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition party.
"I am pleading with you, even if you do not want to vote for Igathe, kindly do not give Sakaja your vote. Please, let me speak to the Mulembe nation, do not allow him to convince you to support his bid. Don't!" Atwoli emphasized.
The COTU boss further dismissed the notion that the Luhya community had been sidelined from the capital city's top leadership. He noted that the decision to pick Igathe over Westland MP Tim Wanyonyi was just part of a political strategy.
Atwoli noted that there was a need to build a formidable team to guarantee the seat. He added that the community was still well represented given that ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna would run for senator.
"I see them going round in Nairobi, saying that Luhyas are being organized. They want to instil fear in you so that you vote for them. Be very watchful. At times we need to pick a team that will win the election," he added.
On April 27, Sakaja unveiled banker James Njoroge Muchiri as his running mate in the Nairobi race. The two will square it out at the ballot with the Azimio duo of Igathe and Prof Philip Kaloki in the August 9 poll.
The battle for Nairobi's top seats will also see Kenya Kwanza's Margaret Wanjiru and nominated Millicent Omanga face off with Sifuna and Esther Pasarris for the senatorial and Woman Representative seats respectively.
In addition, Jubilee, ODM and the Wiper Democratic Movement have zoned parliamentary seats in the region that will see Raila and Uhuru's party field candidates in 8 constituencies each while the Embakasi South seat be left for Wiper.
