MP explains Eugene Wamalwa’s endorsement for Nairobi governor’s seat

Kieni MP Kanini Kega. He has said the endorsement of Water CS Eugene Wamalwa as a candidate for the Nairobi governor's seat was meant to neutralise Cord’s dominance in the City County and bring Jubilee more votes. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

By  Nicholas Komu

What you need to know:

  • Kega said Mr Wamalwa’s candidature of would neutralise Cord’s dominance by drawing the Luhya bloc to Jubilee.
  • Last week, a group of legislators affiliated to the ruling Jubilee coalition endorsed Mr Wamalwa to challenge Dr Evans Kidero for the Nairobi governor’s seat.
  • They were backed by Jubilee members of the Nairobi County Assembly.
  • According to Mr Kega, the leaders are pushing to have more support for Jubilee in Nairobi City County, which is currently dominated by Cord.

The endorsement of Water Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa as a candidate for the Nairobi gubernatorial seat is meant to neutralise the opposition Cord’s dominance in the City County, Kieni MP Kanini Kega has said.

The MP, who was among leaders from Central Kenya region who recently endorsed Mr Wamalwa to vie for the Nairobi County governor’s seat, disclosed that the move is meant to help Jubilee get more votes in the 2017 elections.

Mr Kega, who was speaking in Naromoru Saturday, said that the Jubilee side was working to have the leadership of the country’s capital aligned with the ruling coalition.

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“We cannot have the capital city being governed by the opposition party,” said Mr Kega.

Last week, a group of legislators affiliated to the ruling Jubilee coalition endorsed Mr Wamalwa to challenge Dr Evans Kidero for the Nairobi governor’s seat.

The leaders were MPs Kanini Kega (Kieni), Ferdinand Waititu (Kabete), Jude Njomo (Kiambu) and ODM MP Mpuru Aburi (Tigania East), who has pledged allegiance to Jubilee following cracks in the Orange party.

They were backed by Jubilee members of the Nairobi County Assembly.

The move was, however, met by widespread criticism.

According to Mr Kega, the leaders are pushing to have more support for Jubilee in Nairobi City County, which is currently dominated by Cord.

He said Mr Wamalwa’s candidature of would neutralise Cord’s dominance by drawing the Luhya bloc to Jubilee.

“The ideal candidate is one who can draw more supporters for President Kenyatta in the next election and Wamalwa is best [suited for this],” said Mr Kega.

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