Uhuru right to pick his preferred presidential candidate, MP Wanyonyi says

President Uhuru Kenyatta has a right to pick his preferred presidential candidate in the August 9 election, Westlands Member of Parliament Tim Wanyonyi has said.

The legislator, who is an advocate of the High Court, said there was nothing wrong constitutionally for the Head of State to throw his weight behind Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga.

Speaking in Dagoretti South Constituency on Wednesday, February 9, Mr Wanyonyi explained that as President, Mr Kenyatta has a duty to show Kenyans the way.

As he waded into the Uhuru succession debate, he blasted Tangatanga brigade led by Deputy President William Ruto for always attacking the President over his political choice.

“President Uhuru is a citizen. He’s a voter. He has his interests and even if you say he has one vote, he has his supporters. If he tells them this is the way, wont they follow him?” he posed.

He told the charged crowd that those opposing the president’s decision, are the ones begging him to endorse them reason why they are bitter with his choice of Mr Odinga.

According to him, those attacking Mr Kenyatta were angry since he refused to back them as he knows their track records.

Mr Odinga, he said, is the only leader who is ripe to take over at State House explaining that the ODM leader has the experience to lead the country.

At the same time, he urged Nairobi residents to back his bid for the seat of Governor of Nairobi.

He promised to be an accessible leader and that he will give a listening ear to every resident who knocks at his door at City Hall.

In his plans for City Hall, he said he has prioritized youth talent nurturing and promised to support the younger generation to achieve their goals through talent.

Mr Wanyonyi said he will endeavor to have a functional ICT infrastructure backed with free internet for all to enable the youth access all that they want at the tap of their fingertips.

Talent nurturing, he said, will not only be in entertainment but also in sports, education and agriculture.

With partnerships with institutions like Universities, Mr wanyonyi said Nairobi can be self-sufficient and provide food for all.

Universities have large tracts of land that can be well utilized for the benefit of all Nairobi residents for agriculture and even setting up market spaces for traders.

At the moment, Mr Wanyonyi is the only candidate who has declared interest to run for the city’s top seat on an ODM ticket.

Already, Mr Odinga and his wife mama Idah have endorsed the second time Westlands MP for the seat.

ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, Mathere MP Anthony Oluoch and Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris have also endorsed him and declared their support.

Other leaders eyeing the Nairobi governor’s seat are Governor Anne Kananu, businesswoman Agnes Kagure and former Starehe MP Margaret Wanjiru.

Others are Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja and businessman Richard Ngatia.