Kethi Kilonzo drops out of Makueni Senate race
Africog's lawyer Kethi Kilonzo during the election petition hearings at the Supreme Court in March. Ms Kilonzo has dropped out of Makueni Senate seat race June 11, 2013 saying it would be a curse to compete with her mother. FILE
Kethi Kilonzo has dropped out of the Makueni Senate seat race saying it would be a curse to compete with her mother.
There were indications that Ms Kilonzo would seek to succeed her father, Mutula Kilonzo, and represent the people of Makueni in the Senate.
However, on Tuesday she ruled herself out of the running stating that she could not contest against her mother, Nduku Kilonzo.
“A child does not compete with the mother. It is a curse. I will not support Jubilee. To stand with my father's enemies is a worse curse,” she said on Twitter.
On Sunday, Mrs Kilonzo stunned many when she threw her hat in the ring for the seat during a church service attended by President Uhuru Kenyatta in Machakos Town.
Mrs Kilonzo was introduced to the congregation at Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral by Lands Cabinet Secretary Charity Ngilu before she made the announcement.
On Tuesday, Ms Kilonzo pleaded with Makueni residents to understand her predicament.
"Today is a dark day. May the people of Makueni and all who have stood with me one day find it in their hearts to forgive me," she tweeted.
Mutula Kilonzo was found dead in his Maanzoni ranch on April 27.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has set July 22 as the date for the Makueni Senate by-election.
