Tension has engulfed the yet-to-be-formed Azimio Coalition after ODM leader Raila Odinga threw his weight behind Westlanda MP Tim Wanyonyi for Nairobi’s gubernatorial race.
On Sunday, January 30, the ODM leader Raila Odinga indirectly endorsed Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi for Nairobi’s gubernatorial seat.
“I am here with a big team. Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, former Dagoreti South MP Dennis Waweru, Mama Beatrice Elachi, and next Nairobi Governor Tim Wanyonyi,” Raila said during his tour in Nairobi’s Kawangware estate.
The endorsement has led to the emergency of two rival factions within the Azimio la Umoja movement led by ODM leader Raila Odinga one led by Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi, former Dagoretti South MP Dennis Waweru, ODM Nairobi chairman George Aladwa, and ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna.
The other axis is being led by current governor Ann Kananu, businessman KNCCI President Richard Ngatia, and nominated MP Maina Kamanda.
Kivumbi.co.ke has established that all members of Ngatia’s faction skipped Raila Odinga’s Nairobi visit on Sunday, January 30.
While the faction by ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna said they will advocate for a line-up that has people of integrity from MCA to the Governor, the other faction appears to be against Raila’s endorsement.
ODM Nairobi chairman George Aladwa and Ngatia have dismissed the recent Raila’s endorsement.
“Governor mtarajiwa is not an endorsement, we will go the consensus way to determine who can deliver the seat,” Aladwa told the Star on Monday, January 31.
Speaking during an interview with a local station, Ngatia said the sentiments by Raila during a rally in Kawangware should not be taken as an endorsement but just a normal political talk.
“I hear people are saying that Odinga has endorsed Wanyonyi but this is not true.. Everyone, as we speak, is Gavana Mtarajiwa. And even if he is endorsed, I don’t fear anything I have enough support on the ground,” Ngatia said.
