Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero has sent to newsrooms strongly worded statement bordering on disdain with reports that ODM leader Raila Odinga intends to vie in Homa Bay County.
Gov. Kidero who has made several inroads in south Nyanza and a great proponent of the the south disengaging its politics from Central Nyanza – where Raila hails – claims he has declined an invitation to accompany Odinga to Homa Bay County.
In a statement Monday, Mr Kidero said he would not be available for the event slated for Thursday.
“I acknowledge the request for my presence but I am not available. The huge responsibilities I have for the people of Nairobi cannot allow me to be away as there are critical duties and functions for Nairobi City County that we are attending to,†he stated.
Mr Kidero said his “opinion and that of non-residents of Homa Bay are not necessary and certainly not needed.â€
The statement was issued by Mr Walter Mong’are, the director of communications in the governor’s office.
“We must continue to respect the sovereignty of the people of Homa Bay and every county in exercising their political right to choose their leaders and representatives to occupy national or county offices,†he said.
The Homa Bay senate seat fell vacant after the death of Mr Otieno Kajwang’. Elders and several MPs from Nyanza asked Mr Odinga to declare his stand in a week’s time. Mr Odinga will hold a rally in Homa Bay Town on Thursday to publicly declare if he will contest.