Former State House head of staff Waita Nzioka addressing the public in Machakos County on July 8, 2027./HANDOUT
Former State House chief of staff Waita Nzioka has urged residents of the Ukambani region to support President William Ruto's administration.
Nzioka said remaining in the opposition was not beneficial to the region's development.
He said the region had lagged in development for many years.
He, however, said Ruto's administration had made significant progress in transforming the region through development projects and efforts aimed at improving livelihoods.
The former State House chief of staff urged residents of Machakos, Makueni and Kitui counties to back Ruto's re-election bid in 2027.
Nzioka said his decision to join the United Democratic Alliance was driven by what he described as the region's need for development. He said it was after making that decision that he visited State House and met President William Ruto.
"I went to State House, met President William Ruto and told him I was on the other side of blocking him from being President, but I returned to my people in Machakos, and they said they were not interested in petty politics but development, which is available in the national government," Nzioka said.
Nzioka said he asked the president for forgiveness and told him he had visited on behalf of Machakos residents, whom he said had suffered for a long time.
"They have stayed in the cold. They have no stadium, the youth are jobless, and there are no drugs in hospitals. He responded, 'Nzioka, I will support you.' We should also support the President and give him a second term," Nzioka said.
On his Machakos gubernatorial bid, Nzioka said he would prioritise the county's development if elected after the 2027 General Election.
"My job is to ensure that our hospitals return to the state in which former Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua left them, People's Park is restored, the water problem is fixed, the county's economy improves, and youth get jobs," Nzioka said.
He urged Wiper leaders to stop what he described as petty politics, saying his focus was on development.
"Those who are used to hiding behind Kalonzo, get out so we can deal with you as individuals," Nzioka said.
Nzioka also condemned what he described as politics characterised by insults and goonism in the country.
