Nairobi gubernatorial frontrunner Tim Wanyonyi has received a major boost in his bid to be the next Governor of Nairobi after COTU boss Francis Atwoli endorsed him.
The second-time legislator who was the first to declare interest in the City Hall job is the only one assured of his party’s nomination ticket.
With Mr. Atwoli on his side, Mr. Wanyonyi has been seen as having solidified the Luhya vote behind him.
Mr. Wanyonyi met the COTU boss at the trade unionist’s home of Kajiado in the company of Makadara Mp and former Nairobi Mayor George Aladwa.
Hon. Tim Wanyonyi in a meeting with Elder Francis Atwoli
Aladwa has been lukewarm in declaring the seat he will vie for as he previously indicated he would be going for the top city job.
However, word went around that he was planning to deputize struggling city politician Richard Ngatia who recently joined the Jubilee party silently.
During the deliberations, Atwoli is believed to have thrown his weight behind Wanyonyi while explaining that the ODM Legal Affairs chairman was best suited to take over from Governor Anne Kananu.
Looks like Aladwa has come along. Mzee Francis Atwoli has sealed the deal
“The two senior Nairobi leaders deliberated at length on the City Governorship with Atwoli and they all agreed that Tim Wanyonyi stands a better chance,” a source privy to the talks revealed.
It is understood that through Mr. Atwoli, the Luhya community has demanded to be allowed to take over the Nairobi Governor’s seat due to its large voting bloc.
They argue that since ODM leader Raila Odinga has already been declared the presidential candidate and his running mate automatically coming from Mt Kenya, the City leadership then falls in their hands.
in his campaigns, political new-horn Ngatia has been trying to arm-twist Odinga and President Uhuru Kenyatta into supporting his bid.
However, on several occasions and publicly, Raila has spared no time in recognizing Mr. Wanyonyi as the incoming Governor.
Ngatia has been struggling to catch Raila’s eye in public rallies but he has failed to get the ODM leader’s endorsement.
Mzee Francis Atwoli with Hon Tim Wanyonyi
President Uhuru is yet to declare who he supports as the Jubilee party preferred candidate from at least the four candidates eyeing the party’s ticket.
They include Governor Anne Kananu, businesswoman Agnes Kagure, city politician Fwamba NC Fwamba and Ngatia.
ODM has an easy time picking its candidate as it is only Wanyonyi who has come out to declare his interest.
