My direct nomination will not split Nasa unity, Kidero
Nairobi Governor Dr Evans Kidero has dismissed claims that his direct nomination by Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) will scuttle efforts for a united Opposition outfit.
Dr Kidero argued that ODM had also handed out direct nominations in the last general elections when the party was part of the Cord coalition and the Opposition still went to the elections united.
“The last time it happened in Cord, there was no blow. Our pact in gaining majority of the people as Nasa remains firm and I do not think that the issuance of direct nominations by my party affects our mission as the Opposition,” said Dr Kidero on Wednesday.
The direct nominations by ODM dealt a blow to proposed joint nominations among parties in the National Super Alliance (Nasa). It now means Nasa affiliate parties will likely field candidates who will compete against each other for various seats.
KILLED JOINT NOMINATIONS
The governor was reacting to remarks by Francis Nyenze of Wiper Party said that ODM’s direct nominations had officially killed the proposal to have joint nominations in Nasa.
Dr Kidero said that the issuance of direct nomination did not undermine democracy in the party but instead made it stronger.
“I will continue to serve my constituency as usual with an even greater vigor because my time will not be diverted to nominations,” he said.
He also took aim at his Jubilee opponents, calling them perpetrators of divisive and immature politics based on ethnicity.
IMMATURE POLITICS
“Nairobi residents want people who give them service. Removing Kidero is not an agenda. The agenda should be service to the people of Nairobi. We, however, do not want immature politics, politics that divide Nairobi by calling out my name to the strongholds trying to perceive that I am no longer one of them, when indeed I still am,” said the governor.
Meanwhile, Dr Kidero said that plans were underway to rid the city of street children through a joint initiative by the county and the government.
