Kenneth Nyamwamu, a Nairobi gubernatorial candidate, has picked Lilian Tina Achieng, a former banker and human rights activist, as his running mate in the August 9 General Elections.
In the race to succeed Governor Ann Kananu, the United Progressive Alliance Party’s flag bearer will square off against Polycarp Igathe of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition and Johnson Sakaja of the Kenya Kwanza Alliance.
Mr Nyamwamu explained that their ticket reflects the face of Nairobi, and that he chose Ms Achieng because of her strong background in women’s rights and community engagement.
“We need people like her in leadership because she is hands on in the community. That’s one the considerations that informed my choice. We are running for leadership to give the city a new face,” he said.
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He also promised to make the creation of an enabling business climate a priority in order to provide opportunities for the city’s unemployed youth.
“I want Nairobi to be business friendly. As such, I will reduce licences by 50 per cent so that businesses can thrive. This will make it easier to start businesses and create employment,” he said.
The UPA candidate, who had previously expressed interest in stepping aside in favor of Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi, said he changed his mind after the two-term lawmaker was persuaded to quit his candidacy.
“I was ready to step down for Tim Wanyonyi because he was the leading candidate and our manifestos aligned with each other,” he said.
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Mr Nyamwamu claimed that he is willing to take on candidates chosen in boardrooms.
“I’m running for office because Nairobi needs a leader who is going to deliver services to the people. We need to change things at City Hall by electing leaders who are not tainted,” he said.
A latest opinion poll TIFA ranked Sakaja as the most preferred governor for Nairobi.
Sakaja led with 23 per cent in the governor race for Nairobi, according to a poll by TIFA released on May 3.
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Igathe came in second at 15 per cent, Richard Ngatia at 3 per cent, Anne Kananu at 1 per cent, Agnes Kagure at 1 per cent.
However, 53 per cent of Nairobi residents were still undecided.
After being nominated as the President’s Special Envoy on Trade, Ngatia, shelved his ambitions. Kagure who just like Kananu was seeking the Jubilee ticket, will run as an independent candidate.
Kananu on the other hand dropped her bid in favour of Igathe late April.
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“I want to tell all Nairobians that you are safe under Igathe. Those in Azimio thinking of going independent, that won’t help us,” Kananu said.
“Campaign tutaenda pamoja na mashinani tutaingia pamoja…Mahali tumebakisha na NMS tutakamilisha na Igathe.”
She also dismissed claims that she was coerced into dropping her bid. Kananu said the decision to shelve her gubernatorial bid was a personal decision.
“The decision was not made for me and I was not coerced. These wannabe bloggers should get their facts straight and leave me alone,” Kananu said.
“Acha propaganda. Achana na mimi,” she added.
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