Bernard Kiala withdraws from governorship contest

Mr Bernard Kiala, the Machakos gubernatorial candidate, flanked by his running mate Evelyne Mutula, speaks during a press briefing in Machakos on July 30, 2017. Mr Kiala announced his withdrawal from the race. PHOTO | STEPHEN MUTHINI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Mr Kiala said that the differences with the Wiper party leadership that caused his departure are now in the past.

Machakos governorship candidate Bernard Kiala has withdrawn from the race in order to consolidate support for National Super Alliance candidates.

Speaking during a press briefing in Machakos, Mr Kiala said the decision was influenced by a desire to unite all Nasa supporters to increase the chances of presidential candidate Raila Odinga and his running mate Kalonzo Musyoka winning the presidency on August 8.

DECAMPED

Mr Kiala, who was vying as an independent, said that the differences with the Wiper party leadership that caused his departure are now in the past.

He decamped from the Kalonzo-led outfit after losing to Wavinya Ndeti in the April nomination, but disputed the outcome severally through appeals (which he lost too).

MUTUA OPPOSED

Mr Kiala, the incumbent deputy governor, said he did not want give advantage to his boss Alfred Mutua by dividing the opposition vote.

"For the principled leaders we are we would be compromising our stance against the irresponsible and corrupt ways of the incumbent governor," he said during the briefing accompanied by his running mate Evelyne Mutula.

He said he will still remain active in politics.