• They cautioned the MCAs against falling prey to being bribed by their rivals.
• Jubilee party has fronted Harrison Wangoro Mwangi as its candidate for the speaker’s position.
Azimio la Umoja principals have endorsed former Nairobi assembly deputy speaker Ken Ng'ondi for the speaker’s post.
The principals include Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Kanu’s Gideon Moi, Azimio leader Raila Odinga and Narc Kenya's Martha Karua.
Kalonzo and Gideon urged Azimio troops to rally behind Ng'ondi, saying he is the best choice for the job owing to his experience.
They cautioned the MCAs against falling prey to being bribed by their rivals who want to 'buy' Azimio ward reps to join their side.
“Kenya Kwanza has been notorious for using money to induce MPs to cross from Azimio to their side. Let’s remain loyal to our party leader Raila Odinga and use the advantage of our numbers to fight for the control of the county assembly so that we can pass and implement laws and policies that will make the Azimio manifesto a reality in the city,” the two said.
Ng'ondi thanked Kalonzo and Gideon for supporting his candidature for the speaker's post in the elections scheduled for next week on Thursday.
Nairobi Azimio MPs who support Ng'ondi for the post include ODM Nairobi branch chairman and Makadara MP George Aladwa, former county assembly speaker and Dagoretti MP Beatrice Elachi and Babu Owino (Embakasi East MP).
Other MPs are Felix Odiwuor (Lang'ata), Amos Mwago (Starehe), Mark Mwenje (Embakasi West), Yusuf Hassan (Kamukunji), Tim Wanyonyi (Westlands) and former Makadara MP Reuben Ndolo.
Jubilee party, which is also in Azimio, has fronted Harrison Wangoro Mwangi as its candidate for the speaker’s position.
Mwangi was vying for Embakasi North MP seat on the Jubilee ticket but lost to a UDA candidate.
Last weekend, Nairobi's Azimio-affiliated MCAs met to strategise ahead of the election.
The law states that the election of the 47 county assemblies' speakers is supposed to take place immediately after the MCAs are sworn in.
The standing orders state that there will only be two items in the order paper on the first sitting, the election of the speaker and swearing-in of members.
“A speaker shall be elected when the county assembly first meets after a general election and before the county assembly proceeds with the dispatch of any other business, except the administration of the oath or affirmation of office to members present,” the standing orders read.
The sitting should take place not more than 30 days after the general election.
Edited by A.N