I'm yet to see a worthy competitor to take on me head-on - Kananu

Nairobi Governor Ann Kananu has called for more worthy competitors in the Nairobi gubernatorial race.

The City Hall boss has described her current competitors as weak and not worth her political weight.

"I'm yet to see a worthy competitor to take me head-on come August 9th. Not Tim Wanyonyi,  Johnson Sakaja, Agnes Kagure  or Margaret Wanjiru," Kananu stated.

"Nairobians, we can do better than these people. I'm confident I will be elected Governor of Nairobi County by a landslide," she added.

Early this month, Kananu announced that she will defend her seat come August 9, general elections.

The first female Nairobi Governor warned that her silence should not be mistaken for a lack of interest in defending her position or participating in Nairobi politics.

So far, a majority of the gubernatorial aspirants have rallied behind Raila's Azimio la Umoja.

They include Kananu, Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi, Businesswoman Agnes Kagure and Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry boss (KNCCI) Richard Ngatia.

Wanyonyi who launched his candidature last month said he will vie on the ODM party ticket.

Kagure launched her candidature early this month as a Jubilee party member. 

Other aspirants who are yet to launch their bid but have shown interests include Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja and former Starehe MP Bishop Margaret Wanjiru who is a member of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) allied to Deputy President William Ruto.

Nairobi's first governor was Evans Kidero and was deputized by Jonathan Mueke.

In 2017, Mike Sonko took over as the second Governor with Polycarp Igathe as his deputy. Sonko however fell out with Igathe leading to his resignation.

Kananu's journey at City Hall started in April 2018, when she was serving as the Disaster Management chief officer under ex-governor Mike Sonko.

Her golden moment came on January 6, 2020, when Sonko nominated her to be his deputy.

It took time before she could assume office since the court blocked her vetting pending hearing of the case filed against her appointment.

The case was, however, withdrawn in the same year in December paving the way for her assumption to office of the deputy governor.

The withdrawal of the case was preceded by former governor Sonko's impeachment and that meant Kananu was to succeed her former boss as governor.

However, a protracted court case saw her smooth transition to the Governor's office delayed.

After nine months of a court battle, she was cleared to be sworn as Nairobi's third and first female Governor on November 16, 2021.