Sonko bows to pressure, ready for talks on Igathe

Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko says he is ready for talks with Jubilee party leadership over his deputy Polycarp Igathe’s shock resignation last week.

Speaking publicly for the first time since his deputy threw in the towel, Sonko, who was addressing the press from Mombasa, said that while his focus is still on service delivery, he is ready for talks.

“We still focus on service delivery, we agree there are challenges that we must look into,” he said while asking the electorate to have faith that the problems will be sorted. “Nairobi is not like Mombasa or Kisumu, it is unique, it has 5 million people during the day and 4 million at night.”

On Igathe, the governor said he will first consult various leaders as he seeks to resolve the leadership crisis at City Hall.

“I have to consult the electorate and the party leadership on this issue. And again this is not just a Jubilee issue it affects the whole county but we are going to address it,” said Sonko.

Sonko, who seemed unwilling to address the resignation issue said he will continue focusing on the challenges facing Nairobians.

Igathe resigned on Friday evening citing failure to win the Governor’s trust.

“Dear Nairobians, it is with a heavy heart that I resign my seat as elected Deputy Governor of Nairobi City County effective 1pm on 31st Jan 2018. I regret I have failed to earn the trust of the Governor to enable me to drive Admin & Management of the county,” he tweeted.

On Sunday, Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria confirmed that talks to broker a truce between Sonko and Igathe would kick off today (Monday)

The talks being led by Kuria and Nairobi Senator  Johnson Sakaja are set to incorporate other Jubilee politicians – the leaders taking advantage of a two-week window to reconcile the two before 31st January date when Igathe’s resignation takes effect.

Kuria said they will meet the two leaders individually, before attempting to bring them together.

Igathe, whose resignation has caused political tension in Nairobi, was seen as a technocrat who would drive Jubilee’s agenda for Nairobi.