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| Uhuru (file photo) |
Supporters of candidates for the gubernatorial positions – business magnate Jimnah Mbaru and Embakasi MP Ferdinand Waititu on one hand and those backing Makadara MP Gideon Mbuvi Sonko and Stanley Gathune who are gunning for Senate positions disrupted the meeting at a Nairobi hotel Wednesday afternoon.
Trouble started when Mbaru stood to address the meeting as Waititu’s supporters shouted him down, saying the MP should address the session first.
As a result, Mbaru’s supporters answered back, saying the businessman had a right to speak as he had been given a chance by Nairobi TNA co-ordinator John Njoroge.
A shouting march ensued as a result leading to a commotion and forcing most aspirants to leave the hall.
“TNA should ensure that the nomination process is free and fair, otherwise it stands to lose majority of the seats in Nairobi County,” Mbaru said.
Waititu, who was accompanied by several youths, said he was ready to battle it out with the other candidates in the election and claimed he was the people’s preferred choice as the first Governor of Nairobi County.
Sonko arrived as the aspirants and their supporters converged in groups outside the hall and found his rival Gathune surrounded by youths who were roughing him up.
The MP rescued the politician from the angry youths who were barring him from addressing the Press over claims that Sonko had been given a direct nomination for the Senate position by TNA.
“If you are a man, let us meet at the nomination instead of seeking for a direct nomination. It is upon the people to choose one of us,” Gathune said.
Sonko said that he had not been given a direct nomination as claimed and that he was ready to battle it out in the primaries.
At the same time, TNA candidates for various County Assembly seats in Nairobi have opposed the picking of former Sports Minister Maina Kamanda as the Chief Campaign Co-ordinator in Starehe Constituency.
Led by Stanley Gatogo and councillors Peter Muchiri and Edward Njora, the leaders said Kamanda should not be picked as a co-ordinator as he was a candidate for a parliamentary seat.
source: standard Digital
