After joining Deputy President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza party, former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has finally withdrawn from the Mombasa mayoral election.
Sonko, who was disqualified from running for any elective office due to his impeachment as governor of Nairobi, dropped out of the Mombasa contest in favor of UDA candidate Omar Hassan.
Sonko claimed that in comparison to Raila Odinga and his Azimio, Ruto and Kenya Kwanza offered him a better deal and a better solution for the people of Mombasa, thus he had to join them.
In response, Sonko said on his social media account, “Time is not on our side and I have had to sit down as a leader and think about what would be best for my people. I have come to the realization that I should work with a government that shares my vision for my people and one that benefits them.”
Having been promised prestigious jobs in the administration should Ruto win the election, he described his decision as a better one.
Among the positions he vowed to distribute to his political allies who pushed to get him on the ballot are one for Cabinet Secretary, three for main secretaries, and four for ambassadors.
“It is not about Sonko now, I have to think about the people of Mombasa and their future. I will not be leaving my brother Hon. Ali Mbogo behind, who has been put to suffering by those fighting me, and therefore from the positions offered I will also consider him,” Sonko stated.
“With your blessings, I would want to get into this agreement with UDA, so that I can be assured of jobs and opportunities for my Mombasa and Nairobi people,” he added.
He bid President Uhuru Kenyatta and Kalonzo Musyoka political goodbye, saying he had found a better political trajectory that sadly didn’t involve them.
“I however will not leave without gratitude to His Excellency Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka who has stood with me all along with the same ambition of helping the people of Mombasa.”
“ I also pass my gratitude to His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta who has been like a brother to me and supported me and I wish him nothing but the very best of luck in his future endeavors,” Sonko said.
