Behind the scene power plays in Sonko impeachment

Handshake partners President Uhuru Kenyatta and Opposition leader Raila Odinga whose candidates flopped in the 2017 Nairobi gubernatorial race have reached a compromise to back one candidate once the impeachment of Governor Mike Sonko is complete.

The two leaders are the brains behind the impeachment of the governor whose fate is now pending at the senate which the two leaders use as a ‘slaughter house’ (Kichinjio).

If anything the canning Jubilee had hoodwinked ODM about ‘not fielding’ a candidate in Kibra by-election last year in favour of the ODM candidate Imran Okoth who carried the day.

Somehow President Uhuru Kenyatta blessed ‘Jubilee candidate’ McDonald Mariga to challenge the ODM man.

Raila who vowed to shift from Nairobi if Sonko won in 2017 has been instrumental in the impeachment of Nairobi governor as the plot was arched in his Capitol Hill office.

ODM MCAs sponsored the motion that was supported by 88 members out of 122 with only two rejecting the motion.

The meetings held at Raila’s office settled on them backing a Kikuyu candidate to over from Sonko if a by-election is held.

Raila who is desperate to become Kenya’s fifth president after four failed attempts thinks this is a smart plot to woo Kikuyu votes.

Hand shake partners jointly control the senate meaning Sonko has zero chances of survival and soon, Odinga will begin campaigning for a system or dynasty friendly governor in BBI rallies.

Senate now kicks out dirty governors allied to DP William Ruto like Kiambu’s ex-governor Ferdinand Waititu but saves dirty governors who are sycophantic to the system like Kirinyaga’s Anne Waiguru and Migori’s Okoth Obado who made peace with Raila Odinga.

Political strategies working for the handshakers are convinced that a Kikuyu-Luo joint ticket will earn the city’s top job.

The two control about 1.3 million votes in Nairobi with Kikuyu having 900,000 and Luos representing some 400,000 votes but Sonko’s possible run is still a threat because his appeal cuts across many tribes, women and the youth. He is popular.

The law is not bold and clear about an impeached governor running if a by-election is called to fill his vacancy but Jubilee will deny Sonko it’s ticket.

Schemers are aware of the lacuna and are said to be fasting and praying for Sonko to be thrown behind bars till he becomes a done political case.

Kikuyus have no strong candidate; Peter Kenneth could not even make beyond nominations in 2017 yet he is the man who wants to be next kingpin when President Uhuru Kenyatta retires in 2022.

The by-election might the real test of the new found unity between the Kikuyus and Luos whom they duped just after independence and after 2002 general elections.

The other would be candidate, is former Dagoretti South MP Dennis Waweru, a weak politician who could not even win his parliamentary seat back.

Another possible name in the list of the touted would be Polycarp Igathe, a corporate mogul who could not last five months in politics, after he was elected as Sonko’s deputy in 2017.

Igathe resigned in January 2018 citing disagreements with Sonko who could settle as a political figure head.