Mike Sonko on Why he Rejected Ruto’s Offer for Nairobi.
Former Nairobi County governor Mike Sonko has talked on why he rejected DP Ruto’s offer to him for Nairobi county.
Anthony Mutisya 
According to Sonko, the former Nairobi governor, claims he turned down a direct nomination from Deputy President William Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA) to run for Nairobi's top seat.
Sonko stated on Tuesday, April 26, while receiving his nomination certificate at the Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka Command Center in Karen, Nairobi, that he declined the offer after speaking with his Wiper party boss.
Despite the attractiveness of the offer, Sonko said he had to accept Kalonzo's offer to run for the same position in Mombasa.
"Kalonzo is a father figure to me, he is like my relative. Actually, I had a direct nomination ticket for UDA in Nairobi but because of the respect I give to Kalonzo, I decided to respect his offer," Sonko stated.
The former governor noted that Nairobi residents had promised to vote for him regardless of party affiliation, which he had considered before making his final decision.
Sonko denied reports that his candidacy for the Mombasa seat was a ploy to sway votes for other candidates, arguing that he has what it takes to lead the coastal city and improve the lives of its residents.
Sonko also took advantage of the opportunity to rally support for Kalonzo to be chosen as Raila Odinga's running mate in the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition party presidential ticket, claiming that he was the most qualified and suited candidate for the job.
He went on to say that Kalonzo was the best candidate to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta, but he abandoned his ambitions in favor of Raila.
The stage is set for the Mombasa county gubernatorial election, with Sonko set to compete against Abdulswamad Nassir of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and Hassan Omar Hassan of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
