Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has revealed that Azimio presidential candidate Raila Odinga tried to persuade him to drop his Mombasa gubernatorial bid.
In an interview with NTV on Saturday, July 16, Sonko said that Raila urged him to step down in favour of ODM candidate Abdullswamad Sheriff Nassir but he rejected.
The former county boss said that he met the former Prime Minister at the Wilson airport while waiting for Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
He added that he met with the Azimio running mate Martha Karua before Raila joined them some minutes later.
“I went to wait for Kalonzo at the Wilson airport before the hearing at the Supreme Court. Then I met Martha Karua and to her I’m in Azimio but have not been on campaign due to many court cases. After like ten minutes Raila came.
“Raila told me that he wanted me to step down for Abdullswamad, but I told him no because I am more popular on the ground than Abdullswamad,” Sonko stated.
Sonko’s remarks came after the Supreme Court upheld his impeachment as the Nairobi Nairibi shuttering his hopes of being cleared by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to contest for the Mombasa governor seat.
However, the former county boss said that the ruling by the apex court was unfair claiming that Chief Justice Martha Koome was compromised to make the ruling.
"Sikubaliani na maamuzi ya mahakama; kuna ukora ulitumika kunidhulumu. Martha Koome alikua kwa TV akisema Sonko hafai kusimama naye ndo mwenye sheria. She said an impeached governor remains impeached until the case is overturned,” he said.
