WATCH: Tim Wanyonyi reluctant to relinquish gubernatorial bid
Tim Wanyonyi says he’s reluctant to forfeit his bid to become the next Nairobi governor despite reportedly being compelled to do so during a meeting at State House.
The people have spoken. Our race to City Hall is on. Indeed, Si Mimi, Ni Sisi pic.twitter.com/DfdUe4GluS
— Hon. Tim Wanyonyi (@HonTimWanyonyi) April 20, 2022
Wanyonyi, who’s served as Westlands lawmaker for the past decade, made the assertion during an interview with Nairobi News in Nairobi on Wednesday.
“I’m not backing down from my bid to be Nairobi’s fourth governor,” he vowed.
Reports suggest Wanyonyi had been asked to step down and instead deputize Polycarp Igathe.
Igathe served as Nairobi Deputy governor under Mike Sonko’s regime but resigned after falling out with his boss.
Wanyonyi who’s been holding consultative meetings with various gubernatorial candidates including Anne Kagure and Igathe says he will make his stance public soon.
“The coalition I belong to (read Azimio) is in consultation and will be issuing a statement very soon about Nairobi. So we will wait for the statement when it comes.”
Adding that his bid to vie for the Nairobi top seat had never been about him about about the people.
“Leadership is a calling and throughout my political career, the people I serve have been the backbone of my leadership. It has never been about me. I listen to the people. So we will wait for the communication that will be made soon.”
The development has caused discomfort within luhya politicians and supporters in Nairobi.
Other politicians eyeing the Nairobi gubernatorial seat include Johnson Sakaja and Richard Ngatia.