Polycarp Igathe Enters Nairobi Gubernatorial Race, To Vie on Jubilee Ticket

Former Nairobi Deputy Governor Polycarp Igathe is the latest entrant in the capital’s gubernatorial election.

Igathe made the announcement while appearing on KTN News on Tuesday.

He indicated that he will contest for the Jubilee Party ticket, and that he had already resigned from his job at a local bank.

“I will be in the streets campaigning in Nairobi. I am not a project of anyone. I am the people’s project,” he stated.

Read: Bishop Wanjiru Out of Nairobi Gubernatorial Race, To Support Senator Sakaja

Others seeking the ruling party ticket include Richard Ngatia, Agnes Kagure and sitting governor Anne Kananu.

Igathe said his competitors have the right to seek votes but would consult them ahead of the August polls.

It is said that Igathe will be unveiled as the Azimio la Umoja movement’s Nairobi gubernatorial candidate, putting the other contenders at a disadvantage.

Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi who is also seeking to unseat Kananu is said to have already stepped down in favour of Igathe.

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Wanyonyi is said to have been summoned to State House on Tuesday.

“I can’t confirm in detail about the meeting but I can assure you it’s about Nairobi politics and the gubernatorial race,” a source, who sought anonymity, told the Star.

Shortly after the meeting, Wanyonyi said the coalition would unveil the Nairobi gubernatorial candidate on Thursday.

Sources within Jubilee said Igathe was the best fit for the seat previously held by Mike Sonko.

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“Jubilee looked at all applicants and decided Igathe is the best and the party will now ask the Azimio affiliates parties to support him,” a source told the daily.

Igathe resigned as Sonko’s deputy in 2018, a few months after taking office.

He claimed that he had failed to earn his boss’s trust hence his departure from City Hall.

“Dear Nairobians, it is with a heavy heart that I resign my seat as elected Deputy Governor of Nairobi City County effective 1pm on 31st Jan 2018.

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“I regret I have failed to earn the trust of the Governor to enable me to drive Admin & Management of the county. Without fear, favour or ill will I step down to avoid abusing or betraying my oath of office to Kenyans, Nairobians and my family. Thank you for the encouraging support given to me so far,” he said in a post on his Twitter account.