Nkedianye cries foul over Azimio nomination plan

Former Kajiado governor David Nkendianye has cried foul over what he claims to be a plot to short-change him in the Azimio la Umoja power plan in the fight for governorship.

 After Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader  Raila Odinga brokered a deal for MP Moitalel ole Kenta to run for the Narok governorship, there have been murmurs in that he leans toward Kajiado Governor Joseph ole Lenku.

 The Kajiado county chief has been the face of Raila’s Azimio movement in the Maa nation with his handlers packaging him as the ODM leader’s preferred candidate.

 It is understood  Jubilee and ODM have mapped out the Maa counties depending on the strength of the parties.

 Strategists for both President Uhuru Kenyatta and Odinga have rooted for the less antagonistic approach to win seats  in the two counties where Deputy President William RACuto’s  UDA party has made significant inroads.

 In the strategy, sources said Jubilee will forfeit some positions in Narok while ODM will keep off some in Kajiado.

 In this arrangement, Jubilee will retain the Kajiado governorship under Lenku while Kenta of ODM will get backing for the Narok Governorship.

 Under the arrangement, the Senate and Woman Representative positions in Kajiado will be reserved for ODM while Jubilee will be backed for the same positions in Narok County.

 But Nkendianye who is fighting to reclaim his former seat, said he will resist any such arrangement including Lenku’s proposal for joint Azimio nominations.

 “This is politics and politics is a game of numbers. If any other person intends to use shortcuts my hands are not tired. I am keenly observing and in due course I will make a decision based on my observations. The will of the people should be respected and I am in ODM and Lenku is in Jubilee. I can only participate in ODM party nominations and Lenku should also prepare for his Jubilee party nominations,” said Nkedianye.

Step down from position

 Nkedianye further says if there is any high level talks by Azimio la Umoja leadership to unite him and Lenku, the only viable discussion can be for the governor to step down from the governorship race saying he has failed Kajiado residents.

 On the other hand, Lenku maintains Azimio unity of purpose is only meaningful if the two participate in joint nominations.

 “We have no ODM and Jubilee parties, we are now one coalition, Azimio. We must work together and having joint nominations is significant and historic moment of unity of purpose among coalition partners,” says Lenku

 The consensus route  has already succeeded in the UDA House in Narok where Woman Representative Soipan Tuya and Narok West MP Gabriel Tongoyo have shelved their 2022 gubernatorial  bids in favour of former Labour CAS Patrick Ntutu, also a former Narok West MP.

 UDA is yet to make its mind on its gubernatorial  candidate in Kajiado though sources within the party’s National Elections board chair by Anthony Mwaura hinted at the conclusion  of the consensus process by end of next week.

 Kajiado  East MP Peris  Tobiko is battling long serving  Kajiado South MP Katoo Ole Metito  for the ticket. Former NTSA boss Fransic Meja is also eyeing  the ticket.

 Yesterday, Lenku was tight lipped in the coalition tickets.

“There is no official release on consensus. We are first putting the Grand Coalition in place then the rest will follow,” he said. On the proposal that the position sharing between ODM and Jubilee will be cascaded down to the parliamentary  seats, Governor Lenku curtly said.

–George Sayagie