- The two groups appeared to pour cold water on each other as they moved in different areas hunting for votes
- Ngatia encountered hostile grounds during his campaign in Ziwani.
Image: ANDREW KASUKU
Two rival factions battling for top seats in Nairobi within the Azimio La Umoja movement have hit the ground running and are holding separate rallies within the city.
In what is clearly a nomination headache for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, the two groups poured cold water on each other on Sunday as they moved in different areas hunting for votes.
The team aligned to Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi was in Githurai 44 for a church service at Christian New Hope Ministries before it addressed roadside rallies in the area.
The faction leaning towards Kenya Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Richard Ngatia was in Gikomba area and Ziwani for a series of rallies.
Wanyonyi and Ngatia are both eying Nairobi the governor seat under the Azimio La Umoja movement and have drawn their lineups.
Accompanying Wanyonyi were ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna, Nairobi Women Representative Esther Passaris and former Dagoretti South MP Dennis Waweru.
Nominated Senator Beatrice Kwamboka and former Makadara MP Reuben Ndolo accompanied Ngatia.
In his address to the worshippers, Sifuna said his team is comprised of competent and trustworthy politicians who deserve the opportunity to serve the people.
“We are people with integrity and we should be given the opportunity to serve the people come August 9,” he said.
Image: WILFRED NYANGARESI
Ngatia met hostility as he campaigned around the city. His stop at Ziwani grounds was not welcoming and rowdy youths too over.
Ngatia entered the grounds during an ongoing match between home team Borussia Majengo and Leeds United from Kabete during the annual Kothbiro match.
After one round of waving and cheers from the crowd, he made his way to the podium. Several MCAs and leaders, including former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth, waited to receive him.
However, rowdy youths jumped to the podium preventing calls for more reinforcement from Ngatia's security detail. The youths were eventually dispersed.
In Githurai, Waweru urged residents to reject politicians who have been tainted with corruption.
“We have complied with Chapter 6 [on integrity] of the Constitution. Our motto is integrity, competence and suitability. If you do not have those, don’t come to Azimio La Umoja,” he said.
He told residents to accept money that will be given to them as handouts by politicians seeing their votes.“Take the cash because it is your money but reject them at the ballot,” he said.
Wanyonyi expressed confidence his team will deliver Nairobi seats to Azimio La Umoja.
“This is a team that shares the aspirations and wishes of Nairobi's people," he said.
Raila has since announced that Azimio La Umoja will only back one candidate for each political seat.
Sifuna will contest the Senate seat, taking on Nominated MP Maina Kamanda head-on after declaring his candidature late last year. Passaris is defending her seat and will face Kwamboka in a primary.
Meanwhile, the Wanyonyi faction said President Uhuru Kenyatta has every right to play an active role in his succession.
They termed remarks by their Kenya Kwanza counterparts at the Coast over the weekend as unfortunate and hypocritical.
"Attacks on Uhuru are unfortunate. Why should they say the President should not have a say on his succession. Is he Ugandan? It is within his constitutional rights," Waweru said.
Sifuna said it would be absurd if Uhuru does not tell the country the direction to take.
"When you're on a bus and the driver tells you he is taking a certain route, he surely knows why. He is doing it for the good of the passengers," he explained.
Wanyonyi said Uhuru is keen to ensure a smooth transition and he is also in order to express himself about his preferred successor.
Passaris said Uhuru should not be criticised for expressing his views.
(Edited by V. Graham)