In 2017, exiled Kenyan lawyer Miguna Miguna was the most organised at least in terms of clean politics and manifesto running for the Nairobi Gubernatorial elections.
Well, it is 2020, and Miguna who had warned that Mike Sonko, the winner of the 2017 Gubernatorial elections was a semi-literate thug has entered the race to replace him.
My friend Miguna Miguna on Mike Sonko. #MigunaMigunaTV pic.twitter.com/TV2ptazWoW
— Lagaless ?? (@Lagaless) December 19, 2020
Miguna will be running under the Fred Okang’o led Thirdway Alliance Party.
The fiery lawyer had announced that he will be seeking election as Nairobi’s manager after the ouster of Sonko in an impeachment.
“Having received competent legal advice from Waikwa Wanyoike on December 19, 2020, I, Miguna Miguna, a Kenyan citizen by birth and registered voter in Nairobi, hereby declare my candidature for the position of governor of Nairobi in the upcoming by-election. Volunteers are welcomed,” he declared via his Twitter handle a week ago.
In a statement, the party’s national chairman Miruru Waweru said Miguna is the best bet to reclaim the capital city from what he described as ineptitude.
Waweru said the forthcoming by-election scheduled for February 18 offers Nairobi residents an opportunity to correct ‘one of the greatest political mistakes of our generation.’
“Nairobi deserves leadership devoid of ineptitude, unbridled lust and gluttony for public resources which has defined it for the last eight years,” said Waweru.
While announcing Miguna, there was some sort of confusion as ousted Thirdway Alliance Party former party leader Dr Ekuru Aukot used his machinery to spread counter-narratives about Miguna’s candidature.
Ekuru Aukot (Ousted leader of Thirdway Alliance Party)
Just for the records: I read alot of excitement about @MigunaMiguna being nominated by @Thirdwaykenya to run for Nairobi Governor. He is not and has never been a member of our party. As the party leader, I never sat in such a meeting. @IEBCKenya had better be warned.
— #PunguzaMizigoKenya (@EAukot) December 28, 2020
Fred Okango, New leader of Thirdway Alliance Party
I want to be clear that Dr @MigunaMiguna is the Thirdway Alliance candidate for Nairobi Gubernatorial by-elections. That is the position of the party. Dr.Miguna has given General Power of Attorney to our NEC officials @citizentvkenya @ntvkenya @TrevorOmbija @KTNNewsKE @K24Tv
— Fredrick Okango (@fokango) December 28, 2020
Miguna Miguna accepts to run on Thirdway Alliance Party ticket
Miguna Miguna speaks after endorsement to vie for Nairobi governorship in absentia pic.twitter.com/UGYuZUoaRH
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) December 28, 2020
The debate
Miguna and Aukot later engaged in a very long Twitter spat over his candidature, with Aukot claiming that Miguna has never been a member of his party.
Dr Aukot also threw in the issues of Miguna’s citizenship and exile, stating that his ‘party’, ‘won’t clear him to vie’.
My party @Thirdwaykenya is not for ridicule. Trust me, they won't even clear him and the General himself knows that! https://t.co/Xbx4T9ov4V
— #PunguzaMizigoKenya (@EAukot) December 28, 2020
In 2018, Miguna was forcefully sedated and exiled in a strange Dubai.
Since then the government of Kenya has refused to honor any court orders to bring him back unconditionally.
Sometimes in January 2020, Miguna attempted to enter Kenya but the govt, through its spokesperson Cyrus Oguna insisted that he needed to go to an embassy and get one. This is contrary to the court which had ordered the govt to produce one for him, fly him to Kenya unconditionally.
Miguna responded by stating that he isn’t a fool to enter an embassy and be ‘slaughtered like Saudi Arabia did to Journalist Jamal Kashoggi’
