Minister Mugo drops Nairobi senator bid

Public Health minister Beth Mugo has bowed out of the Nairobi County senatorial race on health grounds.

Her decision leaves Makadara MP Mike "Sonko" Mbuvi as the sole candidate vying for the senator seat on a TNA ticket.

Mrs Mugo’s personal physician Robert Mathenge said local and US doctors who have been treating the minister for breast cancer had recommended she drops out of the race due to the "vigorous nature" of the campaign.

"The campaign (for senator seat) will mean that the minister will clock between 40 to 50 hours per week and on the basis of that, we have advised her to drop out of the race," Dr Mathenge said during a press conference at Afya House, Nairobi Thursday.

"Although she is cancer free, there is need to ensure that she does not subject herself to long and vigorous hours, which will be the norm while on the campaign trail."

Mrs Mugo- who was flanked by her husband Nicholas Mugo, son David and daughter-in-law Trudy-said she "regretted" the decision to drop out of the race.

"This has been the most difficult decision to make...I am disappointed that things have turned out this way and I know many will equally be disappointed especially the many supporters who had shown a lot of enthusiasm on my candidature.

"It is my hope that the people of Nairobi will elect to the senator’s office a person of integrity best suited for that position," Mrs Mugo, who is the Dagoretti MP said.

Despite dropping her bid, Mrs Mugo said she would join the national campaign for the Jubilee Coalition (TNA, URP, UDF) by partnering with the Nairobi campaign structure that had already been created and appealed to her supporters to remain united.

Mrs Mugo, 73, was first elected as the Dagoretti MP during the 1997 elections and was elected in subsequent elections.

She holds the record of being the first person to be elected as the Dagoretti MP for three consecutive terms.