We’ve not stepped down for Waititu, Kiambu aspirants say
Kabete MP Ferdinand Waititu. Two aspirants for the Kiambu gubernatorial seat have rubbished claims that they have stepped down in his favour. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Mr Waititu had claimed during a TV interview that the other aspirants had agreed to back him.
- Mr Nyoro and Mr Mugwe have denied that they have withdrawn from the race.
- According to Mr Nyoro, Mr Waititu’s remarks were selfish.
Two aspirants for the Kiambu gubernatorial seat have rubbished claims by Kabete MP Ferdinand Waititu that they have stepped down in his favour.
This comes even as details of secret talks between three gubernatorial aspirants, some MPs and a principal secretary from the county aimed at forming an alliance to ensure the successful ouster of Governor William Kabogo.
On Monday, former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s adviser on agriculture and food security James Nyoro and politician John Mugwe, refuted Mr Waititu claims that they and two other candidates had agreed to back his bid.
Mr Waititu, who spoke on Sunday evening during a live interview on Citizen TV, had thanked Mr Nyoro, who unsuccessfully vied for the position in 2013, Mr Mugwe, preacher David Ngare, popularly known as Gakuyo, and Aquiline Githendu for teaming up with him, adding that they would “share the county government equally”.
This was just a day after the five candidates attended a meeting in Thika Town, where they announced that they would unite to give their bid to oust Mr Kabogo a better chance.
STILL IN THE RACE
But Mr Nyoro and Mr Mugwe have denied that they have withdrawn from the race, with Mr Nyoro insisting that he will be in the race up to end.
According to Mr Nyoro, Mr Waititu’s remarks were selfish.
He added that although there has been calls for them to unite, they had not concluded the negotiations.
Mr Nyoro added that Mr Waititu’s move is tantamount to soiling his image.
“I want to state very categorically that I have not stepped down for anybody, neither am I considering to be [anyone’s] running mate.
“I am in the race for the Kiambu gubernatorial seat because I belief Kiambu deserve the best, and I will go all the way to the ballot.
“Any statement, therefore, about my stepping down should be treated with the contempt it deserves,” said Mr Nyoro.
On his part, Mr Mugwe said although he attended the Thika meeting, he had not talked about backing Mr Waititu.
“I wish to state that other than being together in the meeting at the Thika prayer rally, I John Mugwe has not spoken to Mr Waititu about stepping down for him.
“Much as unity is desired, I find it odd that he would go on national TV to say that I have stepped down for him. Structured unity is important,” he said.
