•Khalif, who rode to City Hall on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket, pledged to marshal enough support for the Azimio la Umoja - One Kenya alliance in the race for Nairobi Speaker if elected.
•The first-time MCA pledged to rally the Azimio brigade behind former Kware MCA Ken Ng’ondi who has declared interest in the seat.
South C ward MCA, Abbas Khalif, has joined the race for Nairobi County Assembly Majority Leader.
Khalif received a major boost on Saturday after 33 elected members of the assembly pledged to support his bid.
“If Khalif is made the majority leader we will be able to offer strong oversight against the executive led by Governor Johnson Sakaja who was elected on a rival party ticket,” said an ODM MCA who sought anonymity.
“He will also be steadfast in steering the Azimio ship at City Hall and that’s why we are behind him.”
Khalif, who rode to City Hall on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket, pledged to marshal enough support for the Azimio la Umoja - One Kenya alliance in the race for Nairobi Speaker if elected.
The first-time MCA pledged to rally the Azimio brigade behind former Kware MCA Ken Ng’ondi who has declared interest in the seat.
“I will ensure Azimio occupies the prestigious Speaker’s post as a consolation and soft landing after losing the plum seat of Nairobi Governor to the opposition,” Khalif said.
“Despite Azimio losing the governor’s seat we are not discouraged and will fight to ensure that our presence in the city’s politics is felt. I will ensure that I keep Azimio’s fire burning,” he added.
Ng’ondi, a former Nairobi County deputy speaker, will be flexing muscles with Gender Cabinet Administrative Secretary (CAS) Rachael Shebesh, Jubilee's Harrison Wangoro and outgoing Speaker Benson Mutura in the hot race.
He received a shot in the arm after landing an endorsement from Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Alliance principals on Wednesday. The principals, including Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Kanu’s Gideon Moi, threw their weight behind Ng’ondi and marshalled their troops to support his bid.
He had earlier received the nod from Azimio presidential candidate Raila Odinga and his running-mate Martha Karua of Narc Kenya.
Edited Tony Mballa