SONKO: A POLITICAL SUICIDE OR COLLATERAL DAMAGE

Sonko committed political suicide by refusing to wash hands and dine with kings if he learns he will come back strong and wiser. If he refuses to learn, his political star may struggle to brighten. Successful politicians learn fast and adapt to the continuous change in the political environment and players.

To maintain competitiveness in city politics, Jubilee strategists didn’t see the right block him in city gubernatorial seat even if they knew he will struggle to manage city hall. They toyed with the idea of bringing in a better candidate like Peter Kenneth and allow Sonko to remain in city politics as a senator. Sonko played it hard and the idea was shelved. Due to his popularity and need to get his vote block in Jubilee against ODM, Jubilee gave in and allowed him to run on Jubilee. Remember jubilee kicked out Thuo Mthenge of Brade Gate poultry farm in Nyeri gubernatorial race for lesser crimes.

Jubilee picked and washed him. He started wearing suits and a professional Polycarp Igathe was brought in as his deputy. Remember the story Polycarp will be in the office managing the city while Sonko plays politics outside, the plan went on and won the governorship.

the washed man returns to the mad, disagreement with his deputy and continuous chaos among is CECs and chief officers. Sonko created two parallel governments one the official city structures to please kings and his real government which is running the county and is feared. he restructured his Sonko Rescue team doing work in direct competition with Nairobi county services. In case of disaster, you can see the official county firefighters and ambulances alongside others branded “SONKO RESCUE TEAM” 

After chaotic 2007 general elections, Reuben Ndolo petitioned the court over the election of narc MP Dick Wathika, A by-election was ordered by the court in 2010. At first, Sonko was to run on ODM, that channel was blocked as ODM preferred their man former boxer Reuben Ndolo of “ukiona wao, weka tyres” fame. sensing he will not get to PNU he rushed to Martha Karua NARC Kenya. He won the seat and started his city politics with drama and theatrics’.  He could demonstrate with city Matatu drivers and conductors, punch walls, lie on the floor

Sonko's small missteps started after the departure of his deputy and his refusal to appoint a deputy continued to anger his kings. He lost the plot of 48 rules of power. Keep your enemies closer, we know deputy governor has no influence in county politics he would have brought a “professional from the king's circle” and continue with his politics. His kings were patient with him and could test him to see if he gets the plot, but he gave them the middle finger.

Sonko was too close to the power that he used to joke he is the third in command from the president and his deputy in jubilee politics.  He could even call the president and put him on loudspeaker in front of his jubilant supporters, he could emerge in state functions and sit strategically near the president and his deputy. He could join Deputy president to see him off or welcome him at the airport.

Sonko is very good at mobilizing city “hustlers” and his gang like style endear him to his supporters but despite your success in politics never fly too close to the sun. the power may forgive him and welcome him back after he has learned his lesson. As in politics, a politician of his caliber is better peeing from inside to outside than him being out there peeing inside.