'UDA promised me 7 jobs,’ Mike Sonko speaks on ditching Azimio

Sonko said that UDA offered compelling promises while courting him to rally his support behind its Mombasa gubernatorial candidate Hassan Omar hours after parting ways with Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party.

In a post on Instagram, the ex-governor said he was weighing the options on whether to settle for the seven enticing positions already on the table if UDA managed to win the elections or to still remain in Azimio.

“Time is not on our side and I have had to sit down as a leader, think about what would be best for my people and I have come to the realisation that I should work with a government that shares the same vision for my people as I and one that benefits them,” Sonko wrote on Instagram.

"If you're with me na mnipe baraka zenu then I will be signing this agreement in the next 2 hours. Niende nisiende?"

“Below are positions offered to me and my people as captured in the engagement agreement/MOU; one CS National Government, three PSs National Government, four Ambassadors, three CEC's Mombasa County, three Chief officers Mombasa County, two CEC's Nairobi county and three Chief officers in Mombasa County,” he stated.

“With your blessings, I would want to get into this agreement with UDA, so that I can be assured of jobs and opportunities for my Mombasa and Nairobi people.”

The flamboyant politician similarly defended his decision to work with Ruto, saying that the Raila Odinga-led party had left him with no options after denying him candidature in the Mombasa governorship race.

“It is with a heavy heart that I come to you this morning. You all know what has been going on and how I have been pushed to the wall trying to do my best for you my people of Mombasa,” Sonko said.

“It is not about Sonko now, I have to think about the people of Mombasa and their future. I will not be leaving my brother Hon. Ali Mbogo behind, who has been put to suffering by those fighting me, and therefore from the positions offered I will also consider him.”

At the same time, Sonko expressed his gratitude for Azimio Chairman President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka underscoring that he had no bad blood with any politician.

Sonko officially joined the UDA on Saturday and was welcomed by DP Ruto who is the party's boss.