Kenyatta’s warning came after Shebesh and Sonko announced that they were now backing Mbaru/MIKE KARIUKI
Kenyatta ordered them to toe the TNA line and unite in supporting candidates within the party instead of opponents in other parties.
“As a Jubilee coalition, we have supported you in your individual capacities but more so, we support you as a team; A team that we expect to deliver for the people of this country. Nairobi is the heartbeat of this nation and I want you all to understand that. And I want you to understand that we will not stand by and let you ruin the dreams of many people,” he declared.
The deputy premier was speaking during Waititu’s manifesto launch at Panafric Hotel in Nairobi.
Kenyatta’s warning came after Shebesh (women representative) and Sonko (senator) announced that they were now backing Mbaru, the Alliance Party of Kenya candidate.
The turn of events is a blow for Mbaru as the race for the Nairobi governor’s seat narrows down to between ODM’s Evans Kidero and Waititu.
The deputy premier also asked Waititu, Sonko and Shebesh to shake hands in a show of solidarity as Waititu promised that his team will deliver all the parliamentary seats in Nairobi.
“Because our leader has spoken, who am I to refuse to oblige? I respect him very much and I agree that here in Nairobi, we have one women’s representative, one governor and one senator,” Sonko stated.
Kenyatta’s running mate William Ruto also downplayed the differences as a small hitch in the coalition’s journey.
“What we have witnessed here with the small hitch in our Nairobi team is the long journey that will take us to victory. We have been through this with my brother Uhuru; we have been through many hurdles but we are already surmounting this one and we are on our way to victory,” he said.
Sonko, Shebesh and Waititu have now pledged to work together for the sake of unity in TNA.
“Because our leader has spoken, who am I to refuse to oblige? I respect him very much and I agree that here in Nairobi, we have one women’s representative, one governor and one senator,” Sonko stated.
“I will work together as we were doing before with Mike Sonko and Rachel Shebesh who are both friends of mine,” Waititu responded.
Sonko and Shebesh had called a press conference late on Wednesday accompanied by Mbaru where they were to publicly declare their support for him but cancelled it at the last minute after pressure from party chiefs.
Waititu also downplayed the situation and expressed confidence that he remains ahead of the pack.
“In my heart I know that my success will come from God and all those who are going to vote. Even if they fight me in the media, they will have little success. Even if someone presents himself in a different light, Nairobi residents know their history,” he said.
He dismissed the move as inconsequential saying his support is not in the duo’s ‘pockets.’
“You remember that we did our nominations in TNA and I won. The people I defeated are now coming back into the field but I want to tell you this, that let them came to the polls on Monday. That will be the determining factor,” he stated.
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