Embu Governor Martin Wambora has urged residents not to elect Runyenjes MP Cecily Mbarire as a governor for being married to an "outsider".
He said the MP "has surrendered her rights of being and indigenous resident after her marriage to an outsider".
Mbarire has declared interest in opposing him for the governor’s seat.
Wambora claimed that Mbarire’s marriage to an "outsider" has made her not have interest in the welfare of the county.
"If elected as governor she will direct the county’s wealth to Teso where her husband’s originate from," he said.
“We don’t want Embu’s wealth to be taken elsewhere.”
He was speaking on Friday at Kanyangi village in Mbeere North subcounty when he commissioned a health centre, which has been dormant since 2008.
Mbarire termed the governor's statements 'petty, selfish, and desperate and immature".
She said Wambora’s move is an insult to women and the nation at large.
Mbarire said the election Act does not consider marital status gender, tribe or sex.
She said what matters is education, integrity, and code of conduct.
“I want to remind Wambora that he is also married to a non-Embu and nobody questions his marital status. Why is it an issue when it comes to me?" she asked.
"I know he wants to raise the issue because I am a woman. I want to tell him the people of Runyenjes elected me, despite my marital status.”
