Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko has warned President Uhuru Kenyatta that he will vie as an independent candidate if he is asked to step down for any other Jubilee candidate in the city's Gubernatorial race.
Speaking to a local daily on Wednesday, Sonko maintained that he respected the President but warned he would not step down for Peter Kenneth, who is rumoured to be having a strong backing from the top Jubilee leadership.
“I welcome Kenneth in Nairobi but I don’t support him. If he has consulted the President and he is given a direct nomination, I will vie as an independent candidate. I must be on the ballot paper. All those other contenders are non-starters.
“I cannot step down for anybody. I have always supported this government and has not offended it. I respect the presidency but if they ask me to step down, I will vie as an independent candidate,” Sonko was quoted by the Standard.
The Nairobi senator termed Kenneth an outsider in the race to succeed incumbent Governor, Evans Kidero adding that the former Gatanga MP has never supported Kenyatta.
Sonko is being backed by other Jubilee leaders who include MPs Dennis Waweru (Dagoreti South), Johnstone Sakaja (nominated) and Bishop Margaret Wanjiru in opposing Kenneth’s candidature.
Meanwhile, the Sonko allied team is set to retreat to an exclusive hotel in Nanyuki on Thursday to try and come up with a line-up for governor’s seat, deputy governor, senator and MP for Starehe Constituency.
The four have vowed to work together and ensure Kenneth doesn't clinch the Jubilee ticket during the party primaries.
