There is considerable interest among various political parties and politicians in seeking to remove Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja from office. This interest has been sparked by the decision to endorse Westland’s MP Tim Wanyonyi’s close associate as their respective running mate, and this development has now been officially confirmed.
At the same time, word on the street has it that the top office in the land has trained its guns on the Westland’s race with a keen eye on Wanyonyi’s man.
Tim Wanyonyi, the best ranked City MP for over five consecutive years, is running for the Bungoma Gubernatorial seat in 2027 and has shown clear indications his preferred successor would be his former second in command.
Westlands constituency, one of the top legislative units in terms of prudent resources utilization, open and accountable leadership, the home of international agencies, has over the years positioned itself as the most welcoming areas for those seeking to reside in Nairobi City.
Through its development and organized plan, leave for a few estates that are gradually catching up, Westlands has attracted stiff competition in the race to replace its outgoing MP.
Among the notable figures eyeing the seat is Senior Counsel and Advocate of the High Court Nelson Havi, who came second after Tim in the last elections.
Others include former Nairobi Town Clerk Phillip Kisia, Fred Gumo’s son Mike Mayo Gumo, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Maravedi’s son Budamba Mudavadi and Kitisuru MCA Alvin Palapala who is facing a hostile ground due to his average performance at the County Assembly.
However, it Ben Mwonyonyo’s entry into the race that has attracted immense attention.
Mwonyonyo, is the Constituency Manager of Westland’s and who has been working in the shadows of the area MP and putting the area on the national map.
Mwonyonyo, a career banker, is the eye and ear, even heartbeat of Mr. Wanyonyi having worked with him for close to 20 years.
The banker, who has had stints at Bank of Africa, K-Rep Bank (now Sidian Bank), Imperial Bank Limited and NIC bank Limited, is attracting interest from major political parties and politicians eyeing the Nairobi Governor’s seat as the potential running mate.
Grapevine has it that a sitting governor of a prominent party has already sent emissaries to Mwonyonyo associates with a view of seeking his views on a possible 2027 partnership.
The governor, whose popularity is waning at an alarming speed in his county, is said to be desperate for a strong deputy who has an appeal across the political divide and he is said to have a soft spot for Wanyonyi’s right hand man.
At the same time, a top opposition party is said to be considering Mwonyonyo as it’s candidate’s running mate as they hope to tap into his broad network and political machinery.
The opposition faction, it is said, is keen at fronting an team that is easily acceptable across the political divide and one with the ability to blend with all classes of people with ease.
However, when reached for comment over the reports, Mwonyonyo insisted that he is only interested with succeeding his boss as he feels there is a lot that needs to be achieved at the constituency level.
According to him, he still has unfinished business with Westland’s and that he wishes to continue with the legacy projects initiated by the outgoing MP and to continue with the plans they have.
“My agenda and contract are with the people of Westland’s. I am hearing for the first time from you about being proposed for a jab at City Hall. I wish all of them well but for now, my vision lies in Westland’s,” Mwonyonyo said.
“We need to build and renovate more schools, maintain existing roads and build some more to open up the area to more investors, develop more social places and above all, make Westland synonymous with Nairobi. If you mention Nairobi, the first think to pop in your head should be Westland’s. That’s my dream,” he added after attending a Sunday service at African Israeli Nineveh, in Kangemi on May 3.
While at the church, Mwonyonyo assured the residents that he will not discriminate any group and that he will be on the forefront to support construction, renovation and upgrading of places of worship across the constituency.
He expressed his belief that it is through such places of worship that the bonds of our family are closely knit. He assured the congregants, amid their applause, of his unwavering willingness to assist whenever needed and wherever possible.
