Westlands Member of Parliament (MP) Tim Wanyonyi’s bid for City Hall has received another major boost after Nairobi ODM chair George Aladwa threw his weight behind the legislator.
This comes barely a fortnight after ODM leader Raila Odinga publicly apologised to the MP’s supporters for blocking his 2022 gubernatorial bid.
According to Mr Odinga, he regrets the decision to deny Mr Wanyonyi the Azimio ticket in favour of Uhuru Kenyatta’s choice of ex-Nairobi deputy governor Polycarp Igathe.
Igathe was an easy walkover as UDA’s Johnson Sakaja emerged winner, with a section of the votes being a protest by ODM supporters against Igathe.
And on November 25, during the culmination of the Tim Wanyonyi Super Cup tournament in Kangemi, Mr Aladwa, who is the Makadara MP, was categorical that it was time for Mr Wanyonyi to go for the Nairobi Governor’s seat in 2027.
Mr Aladwa, a veteran of Nairobi politics, has set his eyes on the Vihiga gubernatorial seat in the next elections, paving a smooth way for Mr Wanyonyi to position himself as the party’s candidate for the top city seat.
Mr Aladwa said that he will support Wanyonyi fully recalling how the Westlands MP supported him to be Mayor of Nairobi in the past.
As a show of gratitude, he said he had decided not to contest for the same seat in Nairobi as he adviced the Westlands MP not to be feeble and weak.
“This is why I said we cannot fight for the same seat and decided this way. In 2027, we will support Tim (Wanyonyi) for Nairobi seat. He supported me to be Mayor, why shouldn’t I support him,” he posed.
“As the ODM chair, we have no other candidate besides Tim (Wanyonyi),” Mr Aladwa said amid applause from the locals.
Mr Aladwa urged Mr Wanyonyi to grow a thick skin, probably referring to what happened ahead of the 2022 elections where the Westlands MP was bullied out of the race in favour of a weaker candidate.
Speakers including local MCAs promised to mobilise votes for the Westlands MP for the Governor’s seat in 2027 elections.
Mr Wanyonyi has established himself as a formidable force in Nairobi politics amassing near fanatical support across the city.
Speaking during the event, he asked his supporters in Westlands to be peaceful and protect his vote as he steps to other city constituencies to solicit for support.
“There is no small, big supporter. You are all my people and we will work together,” he said.
He said he is ready to work with everybody regardless of their areas of residence in the city.
Runda View and Kangemi Wazoefu clinched the girls and boys title respectively to be crowned as the champions of the 9th edition of the Tim Wanyonyi Super Cup Champions in the final games played at Kabete National Polytechnic.
Runda View won their first girls title after beating Nairobi Starlets 4-3 in post-match penalties following a stalemate at the final whistle.
Kangemi Wazoefu won their second title in the men category after their 2019 triumph. They beat Kangemi All Stars 5-4 in post-match penalties after a 2-2 draw in regular time.
Kangemi volleyball club ousted Githogoro Volleyball Club 3-2 to win the first ever volleyball championship in the tourney.
The winners were feted Ksh100,000 with runners up taking home Ksh70,000. Westgirls and Uthiru All Stars who were third were given Ksh50,000.
Fourth placed UON Cavs ladies and Kibagare Slums were rewarded with Ksh30,000 each.
All the quarterfinalists were also given uniforms among other ward winning awards.
Over 100 teams-88 men and 15 women participated in the 9th edition competition.
RANKING
MEN
Kangemi Wazoefu
Kangemi All Stars
Uthiru All Stars
Kibagare Slums
WOMEN
Runda View
Nairobi Starlets
Westgirls
UON CAVs