Chama cha Kazi candidate for governor in Tharaka Nithi Gitari Mbiuki and his running mate Samuel Gaicura have withdrawn from the race and backed Prof Erastus Njoka of the Jubilee party instead.
On Saturday, the two were welcomed by Prof Njoka and Petkay Miriti, the county’s coordinator for the Jubilee campaign.
Mbiuki and Gaicura spoke at the ceremony, saying they had decided to drop their bid and support Prof Njoka because their manifestos were similar and the don had a good chance of winning the election on Tuesday.
“I have compared my manifesto and that of Prof Njoka and realized that we are focused on the same issues and that if we join hands we can win the polls and develop this county to a higher level,” said Mbiuki.
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He claimed that due of the county leadership’s widespread corruption, the county is yet to enjoy the benefits of devolution.
The leaders also supported Raila Odinga of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition for president, stating that he had a better chance of improving Kenyans’ quality of life than William Ruto of the Kenya Kwanza Alliance.
Gaicura accused the DP of overlooking smaller parties within the alliance and favoring candidates affiliated with his own party, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
This came a day after Jonnes Munene, Nyamu Kagwima’s running mate for the county’s governorship on a Wiper ticket, abandoned his boss and endorsed the don.
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Micheni Ruriani, Dr Mzalendo Kibunjia’s running mate on a Narc-Kenya party ticket, withdrew from the race on Tuesday this week and endorsed Prof Njoka, alleging a weak ticket.
The decision is a major setback for Governor Muthomi Njuki, who is running for reelection on a UDA party ticket.
Prof Njoka has also received support from the Ameru Professionals Association, which is managed by the acting vice chancellor of Tharaka University, and the county branch of the Njuri Ncheke Council of Elders, which is headed by chairman Mr Kangori M’ Thaaara.
Prof Njoka has also invited Dr Mzalendo and Mr Kagwima to join him so that they may jointly advance the county and have a smooth triumph.
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“I sincerely welcome Mr Mbiuki and Gaicura and also appeal to Dr Mzalendo and Mr Kagwima to join the winning team so that we can develop our county,” said Prof Njoka.
Governor Njuki’s attempts to persuade Mr Kagwima and Dr Mzalendo to back him have been ineffective with both rejecting his offer.
“I am urging Dr Mzalendo to join me now that his running mate has ditched him,” said Mr Njuki during a campaign rally on Saturday.
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