• Ndicho has shelved his governor seat ambitions to vie for a senator seat.
• Five leaders are eyeing the Governor seat in the Kenya Kwanza Alliance.
Image: DPPS
Kiambu Speaker Stephen Ndicho has bolted out of the governor seat race and announced his Senate seat bid on the United Democratic Alliance party ticket.
“After a lengthy soul searching, l have the privilege to hereby announce I have stepped down from vying for Governorship of Kiambu and will now be focused on the senate seat,” Ndicho said in an announcement to the media on Thursday.
The speaker requested his supporters and UDA party leaders to support his new bid.
He said his decision to step down was after intensive soul searching and lengthy negotiations with other like-minded people.
“I have been implored upon to agree to enter into negotiated democracy that has seen me quit the governor seat race for the senate seat.”
He thanked his supporters for standing with him adding that he is ready to face off with his competitors for the Senate seat.
“I want to pledge that should they defeat me in the nominations, l will fully support whoever will win to the end. Equally, should I defeat them, l kindly request them to support me as well.”
Ndicho will be seeking to beat former MCA and CEC Karungo Thangwa during the UDA nominations.
Others who are eyeing the senate seat on various party tickets include former Kiambu speaker Irungu Gathii (Tujibebe Party), Machel Waikenda and Mutonya Njenga (both eyeing the seat on Chama Cha Kazi ticket).
John Mugwe, Beth Wangui and Eric Gathogoare battling out for the Jubilee party ticket.
The Speaker vied for the Senate seat in 2017 but lost to the incumbent Senator Kimani Wamatangi.
Having been a staunch Jubilee supporter, he would later be picked as Kiambu Assembly Speaker.
Five contenders from the Kenya Kwanza Alliance, led by deputy president William Ruto, are eyeing the governor seat.
Among those who joined Kenya Kwanza Alliance leaders from Kiambu are former governors Waititu (UDA) and William Kabogo (Tujibebe Party).
Others are Senator Kimani Wamatangi (UDA), Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria (Chama Cha Kazi), Thika MP Patrick Wainaina (UDA) and Mwende Gatabaki who is still in the race for the UDA ticket.
Ndicho appealed to leaders seeking the governor seat to negotiate among themselves and endorse one candidate.
He warned that if they all run for the seat they might end up losing to the incumbent governor James Nyoro.
A fortnight ago, the Speaker led more than 30 Members of Kiambu County Assembly (MCAs) to Ruto’s official Karen residence where they decamped from Jubilee to UDA.
Edited by B. Marita