A day after the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party dismissed reports that opposition coalition, the National Super Alliance (NASA) had submitted a name for consideration for the Nairobi Deputy Governor’s post, the coalition(NASA) has forwarded yet another nominee to Nairobi Governor Mr Mike Sonko for consideration as deputy governor.
This comes after Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, who was expected to table a nominee for his deputy on Friday, postponed the announcement saying the NASA coalition – in the spirit of the handshake – had submitted their preferred candidate, Rahab Wangui, for consideration as well.
However, speaking on Sunday, ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna stated that the party had not sent any letter to Governor Sonko, further adding that the NASA coalition was long dissolved.
“The NASA coalition agreement ended on January 30, 2018. Therefore, we have not written any letter to Sonko over the Deputy Governor’s position,” said Sifuna.
However according to Nasa chief executive Norman Magaya the party is active and has further recommended a second nominee ,Jane Muringi Wangui (ODM) to governor Sonko , Ms Rahab Wangui Ndambuki (Wiper) was first to be nominated and on Monday.
In the letter, Mr Magaya acknowledged their first one to Mr Sonko on January 10.
“I know the mindset of our principals. As far as I am concerned, Nasa is alive and is there to stay for as long as it takes,” he said. “This morning (Monday), Mr Odinga instructed me to do another letter to Mr Sonko, which I did.”
Mr Magaya said the comments by Mr Sifuna and the others were “very unfortunate” and that anybody doubting the existence of the coalition should go to the Registrar of Political Parties to check its status.
The Political Parties Act recognises coalitions whose agreements were deposited at the registrar’s office immediately after being signed.
The law states that any member who wishes to withdraw from the groups must write an official letter to the registrar stating the reasons why as serve the partners.
So far this has not happened, at least according to Mr Magaya.
“Those doubting can check the records at the registrar’s office on any working day,” he said.
Mr Magaya had written a letter to Governor Sonko of the coalition’s desire to have Ms Ndambuki deputise him.
The letter triggered disquiet in the coalition that brings together former Prime Minister Raila Odinga of ODM, Kalonzo Musyoka of Wiper Democratic Movement, Musalia Mudavadi of Amani National Congress and Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula of Ford Kenya.
Mr Sifuna, who led Seven ODM MPs to a church service in Nairobi’s Embakasi South Constituency on Sunday, dismissed Mr Magaya’s letter saying Nasa ‘died’ on January 30, 2018, when Mr Odinga was crowned the people’s president at a mock swearing-in ceremony at Uhuru Park.
“We did not send any name for the deputy governorship position because we do not want to be associated with the mess that happened in Nairobi,” he said adding; “There is no Nasa. It died long ago.”
Is NASA taking over Nairobi politics ?