Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi to Deputize Polycarp Igathe Following Intense State House Meeting

Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi will not contend for the Nairobi governor seat.

Sources have intimated that the ODM member of parliament dropped his bid following hours of negotiations with his party leader Raila Odinga and President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Wanyonyi who is a season politician will now deputize former deputy governor and Equity Group Holdings Chief Commercial Officer Polycarp Igathe.

Jubilee will take the governor seat, ODM deputy governor, and Wiper Party will get the Speaker of the County Assembly slot.

Read: I Learnt About Igathe’s Candidacy Via Social Media – Richard Ngatia

Former Kibwezi MP Phillip Kaloki will become Nairobi’s third County Assembly speaker should the Azimio flagbearer clinch the presidency.

All parties have agreed to field their own candidates for Senate and women representative seats. Edwin Sifuna, ODM secretary general and Maina Kamanda of Jubilee will battle it out for the senate seat at the ballot.

In the race for the woman representative seat, incumbent Esther Passaris (ODM), nominated senator Beatrice Kwamboka (ODM), and former Kasarani MP Elizabeth Ongoro have all expressed interest in flying the Azimio flag.

Raila had previously failed to persuade Wanyonyi to abandon his quest in favor of Igathe, resulting in the standoff being escalated to State House.

Read Also: Margaret Wanjiru Laughs Off KNCCI President Ngatia’s Entry into Nairobi Governor Race

The former Prime Minister is said to have spent the better part of Thursday afternoon at a Nairobi hotel meeting with Luhya leaders, but he was unable to persuade Wanyonyi to step aside.

According to those privy to the goings-on, the Luhya leaders held their own meeting at the hotel for several hours while they awaited the former prime minister’s arrival.

The Luhya meeting had Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, Sifuna, Makadara MP George Aladwa, former Nairobi Town Clerk Philip Kisia, Wanyonyi and a host of other Luhya leaders.

Raila Joined them at 3pm and was accompanied by Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho.

Read Also: Polycarp Igathe Enters Nairobi Gubernatorial Race, To Vie on Jubilee Ticket

Wanyonyi, according to sources, was adamant about not playing second fiddle to anyone. With the leaders departing the hotel for State House after 5 p.m.

Azimio had planned to announce a slate of candidates for Nairobi’s top jobs yesterday, but the Luhya leaders refused to budge on their demand for the governor, Senate, five parliamentary seats, 24 ward seats, and five cabinet positions.

On his social media platforms, the Westlands MP also stated that his path to City Hall was unstoppable and that he would only listen to the people.

“The journey started two years ago. The #SiMimiNiSisi movement is full throttle. Tim Wanyonyi will not shelve his ambition for another candidate. The people have spoken. Our race to City Hall is on. Indeed, Si Mimi, Ni Sisi,” said Wanyonyi.

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Wanyonyi is one of four Azimio candidates vying for the seat. Others are Richard Ngatia, the CEO of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Governor Ann Kananu, and entrepreneur Agnes Kagure.

Ngatia, for one, revealed that President Kenyatta had requested the three Jubilee hopefuls to decide among themselves who is most qualified to fly the party’s ticket for the top seat in the capital.

Ngatia told a local station that he only learnt about Igathe’s candidature via social media.

“I have not been informed of his [Igathe’s] said-endorsement by President Kenyatta. The Head of State has also not asked me to bow out of the race,” Ngatia said.