SONKO TO JOIN KALONZO'S WIPER PARTY??

Nairobi Senator Mile Sonko is considering decamping to Kalonzo Musyoka’s Wiper party due to frustrations in Jubilee.

Those close to him say he was infuriated by remarks by Jubilee Party Vice Chairman David Murathe on Monday to the effect that “nothing prevents him from vying as an independent candidate.”Appearing on Citizen TV on Sunday, Sonko said Murathe and Interior PS Karanja Kibicho were out to frustrate him ahead of Jubilee nominations next month, in favour of Peter Kenneth.

Sonko did not get his good conduct certificate until Thursday evening. In the same interview, Sonko swore he would never step down for Kenneth or even sit on the same negotiation table.

“If all they want is a Murang’a candidate, let them bring Equity 2013 aspirant Jimnah Mbaru. Where is he? Let them bring Equity Bank’s James Mwangi. I will step down. But I will never step down for this guy [Kenneth]: Over my dead mother’s grave…over my father’s grave. I will never…And if they think they will steal, I was the biggest thief…,” Sonko said.

But it is not the first time Sonko is being linked with Wiper and Kalonzo.

In July last year Sonko said, “For the sake of our community, leaders must unite, I traversed the country with Kalonzo. Even now I am ready as long as he is the flag bearer of Cord. Apewe bendera sahii na sasa hivi, nitahama I support him,” he said.

Sonko spoke during the burial of the father of Mavoko MP Patrick Makau in Ngelani, Machakos county.

Kalonzo had earlier urged him to ditch Jubilee and return home.

In August 2015, Kalonzo had urged Sonko to join Wiper and vie for Machakos governor after they fell out with incumbent Alfreed Mutua.

In his response Sonko said, “My loyalty to the President and my party is absolute. But I respect Kalonzo as a leader in this country but tell him No, thank you.”

President Uhuru on Monday said he does not prefer any candidate between Sonko and Kenneth, but is willing to broker a deal.

Deputy President William Ruto last year said Jubilee has top win the Nairobi governor seat, held by Evans Kidero, “by all means”.

But an Infotrak poll on Monday showedGovernor Kidero will retain the Nairobi seat if Senator Sonko and Kenneth go to the August polls individually. Sonko and Kenneth will get 23 and 20.2 per cent of votes respectively, while Kidero will get 35.3 per cent to clinch the county's top seat.