TNA lawmakers reject 'political refugee' Wamalwa for Nairobi governor's seat

A suggestion by some Mt Kenya Jubilee MPs that Water Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa vie for the Nairobi governor’s seat has elicited sharp criticism from their counterparts in the city.

MPs Kanini Kega (Kieni), Ferdinand Waititu (Kabete), Jude Njomo (Kiambu Town) and Mpuru Aburi (Tigania East) on Sunday endorsed Mr Wamalwa to run for the Nairobi seat on a Jubilee ticket.

But speaking to journalists on Monday, four Nairobi MPs, led by their parliamentary group chairman and Kasarani MP John Njoroge, said they would not allow intruders to determine the direction of city politics.

Mr Njoroge said a Jubilee candidate would be subjected to a competitive nomination process and they will not agree to boardroom nominations.

“As leaders we cannot have outsiders telling us who to elect as governor as we have other aspirants who will all go through the nomination process and whoever the people will choose we will give them our support,” said Mr Njoroge.

'LAUGHABLE' ENDORSEMENT

Mr Waititu was condemned by the MPs, who said he was the reason Jubilee lost the Nairobi governor's seat in 2013 and it was laughable for him to endorse someone else.

Embakasi North MP James Mwangi Gakuyu said Jubilee had learned from its past mistakes after the coalition lost the seat and would not repeat the same mistakes.

He said Mr Waititu should concentrate on how to oust Kiambu Governor William Kabogo and distance himself from city politics.

The MPs, however, said they were not against Mr Wamalwa but demanded that he declare his interest in the seat and seek the nomination like every other aspirant.

The Nairobi County TNA officials dismissed the endorsement of Mr Wamalwa, saying the decision was not made by Nairobi leaders but by outsiders.

"Though [they have a right to express themselves), they cannot decide for Nairobi since the city has mature elected opinion leaders who can meet, discuss and make informed decisions on behalf of their people through the right forum,” said Suntus Ndegwa, the Nairobi TNA chairman.

'POLITICAL REFUGEE'

Mr Ndegwa referred to Mr Wamalwa as a political refugee who was using the names of President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto to gain favours from Jubilee by getting a ticket through the backdoor.

He condemned the Waititu group, saying their agenda is to undermine the leadership of Nairobi County.

However, Nairobi MCAs allied to Jubilee welcomed the idea of Mr Wamalwa’s possible candidature.

Led by Jubilee MCA Caucus chairman Kenneth Irungu, they said Mr Wamalwa would unite the western community by consolidating the region into a single voting bloc.

But they said every candidate who wants to run will be subjected to a competitive nomination process.

The Jubilee ticket has so far attracted at least five aspirants, among them Senator Mike Sonko, Dagoretti South MP Dennis Waweru, nominated MP Johnston Sakaja and former Starehe MP Margaret Wanjiru.