Sonko rejects powerful government job given to him by Uhuru

dennis kibet

April 19, 2017 10:44 AM

The President is determined on ensuring that there is no eventual fall out among Jubilee supporters who are split between Sonko and Kenneth.

Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko and President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko has rejected a powerful government position given to him by the Jubilee administration for him to step down in the Nairobi gubernatorial race for former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth.

Sources close to State House indicate that Sonko was offered a cabinet position in exchange for him relinquishing his gubernatorial ambitions.

President Uhuru Kenyatta is keen on his party capturing the Nairobi Governor post currently held by National Super Alliance’s (Nasa) Evans Kidero.

This is why the President was said to have offered Sonko a cabinet position which the Senator flatly rejected.

Planned ministry

Sonko was planned to head the Nairobi Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (NAMATA) which was created by President Kenyatta in February and is rumoured to be elevated into a fully-fledged ministry.

NAMATA covers the counties of Nairobi City and its environs of Kiambu, Kajiado, Machakos and Murang’a.

The President on Monday fell short of endorsing Kenneth when he urged Murang'a residents to pray for Kenneth to ensure he clinches the Jubilee ticket for Nairobi's gubernatorial seat.

Kenyatta then invited the former Gatanga MP to speak to the residents who vowed to fight and promised to usurp incumbent Evans Kidero if he clinches the ticket.

Sonko had threatened to leave the party if he believed the nominations were not free and fair.

The senator has publicly stated that he would not step down for Kenneth or accept to be his running mate in their quest to dethrone incumbent Evans Kidero.

dennis kibet