Mwaure concedes, backs Ruto as Wajackoya is upbeat

Mwaure told reporters on Sunday that even as the tallying process was still ongoing at the Bomas of Kenya, it was clear that his bid had not gained necessary traction to yield him the win.

Flanked by his running mate Ruth Wambui Mucheru, Mwaure said that the votes so far tallied painted a picture of a William Ruto win and that he was endorsing him for the remaining part of the process.

“I endorse the winning trend and the person of William Ruto as the leading candidate and urge the IEBC to be fervent in declaring his win when it is time to do so,” he said.

He said his endorsement of the Deputy president was because his manifesto and that of Ruto converged in espousing a Christian values-based country in their governance approach.

“On my part and my running mate, we hereby indicate that we will collaborate with Ruto and support him because his campaign manifesto and many of his campaign promises agree with ours.”

He said that despite his dismal performance in the contest, he had no regrets and that he had immense faith in the IEBC. 

In a veiled swipe at Azimio leader Raila Odinga, the preacher and lawyer turned politician said his support for Ruto was founded on his respect for Christian faith unlike others who have allegedly called the religion names.

At the same time, Mwaure alleged that some nefarious actors he did not name were conspiring to derail the verification process at IEBC.

He urged the agency to be firm in discharging its mandate.

“I have also with my team been following the activities taking place at the Bomas and point out that there appears a well-choreographed plan to interfere with the verification process and the result.”

Mwaure claimed that his tallying of the numbers had suggested that Ruto retained a commanding lead and hence called it for the Deputy president.

He however called for peace and patience as the anxious wait for the IEBC verdict hit fever pitch.

The ongoing tallying of the votes have depicted both Wajackoyah and Mwaure to be in third and fourth place respectively.

Wajackoyah on his part, through a statement signed by his party’s secretary general Adam Kadernani,  said he was confident of winning the tight contest to implement his agenda that he says will make the country an economic giant.

He said he will address the nation once the commission declares the official results at the tail end of the process.

“We are confident that we will win through a fair, free and credible process. Our candidate will address the nation after the official announcement by IEBC.”

Wajackoyah also called for peace and tolerance among Kenyans as they wait out the process.

Edited by Henry Makori