CORD keen on clinching Nairobi County Speaker seat

By Geoffrey Mosoku

Nairobi, Kenya: Businessman Tom Otieno Onyango, lawyer Evans Ondieki and journalist Milton Nyakundi are among those who have expressed interest in running for Nairobi County Assembly Speaker.

Onyango yesterday told The Standard he has been lobbying for the seat and will be seeking Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) sponsorship to run for the position.

“I have applied for the position of Speaker of the Nairobi County Assembly and I am currently lobbying among elected county representatives,” he said.

On his side, the youthful Nyakundi said he was seeking to be elected the capital’s Speaker but was yet to disclose the party that will sponsor him. Lawyer Ondieki, who was earlier touted to be The National Alliance’s (TNA) Ferdinand Waititu’s running mate, was dejected when Robin Achoki was named instead.

Switched allegiance

Since then, he switched his allegiance to CORD and was seen severally accompanying governor-elect Evans Kidero during the campaign period. On Thursday, Ondieki attended a luncheon hosted by Kidero for CORD-allied county representatives at a city hotel to seek their support.

The three now join former nominated councillor Mutunga Mutungi of Wiper, who has also been mentioned as a possible candidate for the Speaker’s slot.

In CORD, sources indicate that the coalition is strategising on regional balance and ensuring the Speaker’s position goes to either the Luhya, Kikuyu or Kisii communities.