Kitui Governor Julius Malombe
and arch rivals Senator David Musila and former Lands CS
Charity Ngilu were
yesterday cleared by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to run.
Their clearance paves the way for a fierce battle for Kitui governor at the August 8 General Election.
Soon after
being cleared by county returning officer Gogo Nguma,
Malombe and Ngilu said they are
confident of winning the seat.
Malombe said he is
banking
on his impeccable development record which has endeared him to the Kitui voter. Speaking to journalists after being cleared, Malombe said: “I have no doubt the Kitui people will reelect me on account of the many development projects I have initiated in the past four years.
We have accomplished 5,186 life-changing projects, that is an average 125 projects in each of the 40 wards in the county.”
He said through the Kitui vision for economic and social transformation, he will embark on more transformative projects if reelected.
“I will kick off
as early as August 10 as I have put in place a proper plan for development. I have been in office and we are therefore very clear on what we need to do for this county,” the governor said.
Malombe called on his opponents
Ngilu and Musila to uphold peace during the campaign period.
He said if they incite their supporters to violence, the law will take its course.
“We should guard against all forms of violence, insults or mudslinging. The law must be applied effectively on those who incite violence.
I have asked my supporters to refrain from any form of violence,” Malombe said.
Ngilu said she has unparalleled
experience in leadership compared to her
rivals.
She
said she picked Dr Wathe Nzau as her running mate to help her efficiently manage the affairs of Kitui county. Ngilu said she deliberarely opted for a technocrat
and not a politician to enable her to fulfil her development agenda for Kitui.
“I have an expert as my deputy who will
help address issues of health services, water problems, improve education
standards, help in women’s empowerment programmes
and end poverty. We will endeavour to provide service leadership,” Ngilu said.
The former CS
said
her national and international networks give her an edge over her competitors.
Musila is seeking the
governor seat as an independent candidate.
“I’m the best to work for the people of Kitui and I’m sure they will make that decision in August,” he said.