Elders dismiss Sonko endorsement, back Kidero
Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero (left) and his opponent Mike Sonko. They are vying for the county's top seat. PHOTOS | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- They had unanimously resolved to ensure that the community only votes for Nasa candidates in Nairobi.
- Dr Kidero welcomed the backing, saying he is optimistic of winning in the August 8 polls.
Kisii elders and leaders have dismissed the recent endorsement of Nairobi Jubilee Party gubernatorial candidate Mike Sonko by a section of leaders from the community.
This comes three days after leaders and elders also claiming to come from the community endorsed Mr Sonko at Ufungamano House in Nairobi.
But on Saturday, the elders led by Mr John Momanyi and Mr Barnabas Obwocha vowed to vote for Mr Sonko’s rival, Governor Evans Kidero.
BACK KIDERO
They termed the endorsement of Mr Sonko as inconsequential, saying the senator was duped by individuals masquerading as Kisii leaders and elders.
“The elders congregating here are the genuine ones from our community and we have resolved to adopt Dr Kidero as one of our own.
"As a community, we are going to vote for him to the last man,” Mr Obwocha said while addressing the media at Sports View Hotel in Kasarani, Nairobi.
NASA MEMBER
The elders and leaders drawn from all the 17 constituencies in Nairobi further accused Mr Sonko of using university students to fake his endorsement from communities residing in Nairobi.
“He went to pick students from the university to stage-manage his endorsement when the real leaders from our community are here,” Mr John Magara, one of the youth leaders from the community, said.
They instead installed Dr Kidero as their elder, saying they had unanimously resolved to ensure that the community only votes for Nasa candidates in Nairobi.
EMPLOYMENT
Speaking after being crowned as a Kisii elder, Dr Kidero welcomed the backing, saying he is optimistic of winning in the August 8 polls, and that he will continue the good working relationship he has had with the community since he assumed office.
He defended claims that he had sacked members of the community who were serving in his administration, saying he had in fact appointed people from the community in key positions at City Hall.
“My history with the community dates back to my childhood days.
"You are like my brothers and that is why for the last four years, we have had a good working relationship.
"I have also appointed some of your members to key positions at City Hall. Our working relationship cannot be questioned,” Dr Kidero said.
RELATIONSHIP
The meeting was also attended by former Football Kenya Federation President Sam Nyamweya and former Nairobi County Environment Evans Ondieki (fired by the governor), who both drummed up support for Dr Kidero’s second bid, urging the community to re-elect him because their friendship was still intact.
