•Four years later, he rattled the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya camp and changed the Nairobi political dynamics when he was declared as Jubilee party's nominee for Nairobi Governor.
•If elected as Nairobi’s fourth Governor, Igathe said he will continue from where Nairobi Metropolitan Services will have left with development.
Image: Maureen Kinyanjui
Back in January 2018, the then Nairobi Deputy Governor Polycarp Igathe hit the headlines after he resigned from his position, barely six months after being sworn in office.
Four years later, he rattled the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya camp and changed the Nairobi political dynamics when he was declared as Jubilee party's favourite nominee for Nairobi Governor.
This was later made official by Raila Odinga-led Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party last month when he unveiled him as the political faction’s candidate in the hotly-contested Nairobi governor race and be deputised by former Kibwezi MP Philip Kaloki.
Opening up on his journey and his decision to come back where it all started, Igathe explained that back in 2018 his role as Deputy Governor wasn't defined but now he is ready and willing to serve the Nairobi people.
“I became a Deputy Governor when the job description wasn't defined. When one is sworn in as the DG, you are required to advise the Governor. But I was never given that opportunity," he said.
Igathe was speaking at KBC Television station on Tuesday morning.
The Former Equity Chief Commercial Officer further said he was left in the dark with the county being run as a one-man show, with the cabinet being chosen and sworn in without his involvement.
“I stepped down to avoid abusing the trust bestowed upon me by God and the voters. Power belongs to the people, if you see you are going to betray your promises, step down,” he added.
Igathe’s sudden entrance into politics raised eyebrows even within the Azimio coalition.
Defending his timings, Igathe said he was in line with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission ( IEBC ) deadlines and that is why his papers were considered.
“I was not late to hand in my bid for the Nairobi governor race. There was a deadline given by the IEBC and as far as I’m concerned I was in order and in time. I met the deadline to hand in my papers for the governor race. I'm working for the people of Nairobi and I'll continue to be on the ground,” he noted.
Igathe’s name was said to have originated from State House and was President Uhuru Kenyatta’s chosen one to run Nairobi affairs, locking out the then aspirants; KNCCI Richard Ngatia, Nairobi Governor Ann Kananu and Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi.
His rivals have branded him as 'State House Project' arguing that he is being forced onto the residents of Nairobi.
Defending his candidature, Igathe said he was competent enough and that is what made him favourable before the Azimio leaders.
“The President is my President and party leader, and with consensus, I was chosen to lead the Nairobi Gubernatorial race under Azimio la Umoja," Igathe argued.
He believes his competency and track record will bear fruits if given a chance to run the city.
“All the companies I have worked for did not just employ me because they had vacancies, I was competent, capable and had worked hard over the years to ensure I remained competitive and efficient in all I do,” Igathe said.
If elected as Nairobi’s fourth Governor, Igathe said he will continue from where Nairobi Metropolitan Services will have left with development.
Earlier, Igathe revealed that he was the brains behind the formation of the NMS which was brought by President Uhuru Kenyatta to fix Nairobi when it was at its lowest in 2020.
“Nobody knows the problem of Nairobi as close as I do. Time has vindicated what I saw. The information I provided to my party leader to fix the situation then is what gave ‘birth’ to NMS. I didn’t have to do it in public because the best work in life is done in silence, not with a lot of noise,” he said.
Igathe together with his running mate Kaloki have been having strategy meetings together with Orange Democratic Movement ( ODM) Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna who is Nairobi's Senatorial candidate and Esther Passaris Woman Representative aspirant under the Azimio umbrella.