Nairobi County gubernatorial hopeful Mike sonko has refuted claims that he was offered a cabinet position to step down for his political nemesis, Peter Kenneth.
In a press release on Friday, Sonko said his opponents have resulted to the use of propaganda to confuse his supporters.
He categorically maintained that President Uhuru Kenyatta did not offer him any Cabinet position as some media outlets have been reporting.
“That I had been offered cabinet slot to withdraw my candidature in support of another candidate is propaganda meant to portray me as disrespectful to the Head of State. Those are again rumours and propaganda meant to divert attention of voters ahead of the Jubilee nominations,” said the Nairobi Senator.
He said that he is not withdrawing his candidature. “Senator Mike Sonko has and shall never withdraw from the Nairobi Gubernatorial race and that I wish to assure my supporters across the 17 constituencies.”
He urged his supporters to come out in large numbers to vote for him during the primaries slated for April 24.
He also warned those spreading rumours that President Uhuru Kenyatta had endorsed him. He said they are people who “rely on invoking Uhuru’s name for political survival.”
The race for Nairobi Governorship pits Sonko against Kenneth. Both candidates have strong backing in the city.
Efforts to come to a consensus on who among the two leaders should face off with incumbent Evans Kidero of ODM, has failed.
Sonko insists that he cannot step down for Kenneth. He has accused him of refusing to step down for Uhuru in 2013 and alleged that was among those pressing for his “crucifixion” at The Hague.
Kenneth on the other hand, has always maintained he is open to talks but should they fail, he is ready to head for the primaries and allow Nairobi residents to decide who is best to lead them.
Nairobi County primaries were moved to April 24, with Jubilee Party citing that it will allow the Muslim community in the city to participate in the exercise.
But the move has been seen as an extension to try and broker a deal between Sonko and Kenneth.