Sicily Kariuki Drops Out of Nyandarua Gubernatorial Race

Former Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki has withdrawn from the Nyandarua governorship election.

Ms Kariuki was attempting to unseat Governor Francis Kimemia, who is seeking re-election on a Jubilee ticket.

“Leadership is about sacrifice, you cannot lead people without sacrificing, and dropping my bid does not in any way mean I have no power, I will take another action and will serve Nyandarua people at another level,” said Ms Kariuki on Thursday evening.

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Ms Kariuki also stated that her decision to withdraw from the contest was based on extensive consultations with high-profile leaders and Nyandarua County locals.

“It’s been a lot of soul searching, consultation after another and I finally decided to sacrifice,” she added.

“After reflection, I suspended my candidature to vie as the governor of Nyandarua.”

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As a result, the incumbent is now the Jubilee candidate.

The former CS expressed gratitude to the people of Nyandarua for their support since she entered politics, stating that the people on the ground have been supportive.

She stated that her judgment was based on the party’s failure to complete the nomination procedure and submit the names to the IEBC before the deadline.

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“There comes a time when a nation is more important than an individual. This is where I have found myself from last week, that we have been caught up with a stalemate and a looming deadline for the party to submit the party list to IEBC,” said Ms Kariuki.

Kanini Kega, the Jubilee National Director of Elections, and Jeremiah Kioni, the party’s secretary general, were among those who joined Kariuki when she made her statement.

Kimemia had by then already received the party ticket.

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While campaigning for her candidacy, she stated that should she have won, her administration would have addressed infrastructural challenges as well as youth unemployment.

According to the former CS, 97 percent of the county’s youths remain unemployed despite their education.

She also stated that before outsourcing from other counties, she would have ensured that jobs were given to residents.