On Wednesday, June 15, 2022, presidential front runner Raila Odinga led the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition party team in a vote hunting mission in Kitui County.
Speaking in Mutha Township, the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya alliance presidential candidate was expected to drum up support for current Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu.
However, Raila revealed that the Kitui governor will not defend her gubernatorial seat in the August 9, General Election.
“You will decide between former Governor Julius Malombe and former Senator David Musila who will be your governor. I want to take mama to Nairobi,
“We have Jubilee, ODM, Narc Kenya in the team of 26 parties… It is you to decide who to vote from among the parties since we are all in Azimio,” Raila said obviously not wanting to be seen to be campaigning against Malombe whois allied to Kalonzo Musyoka.
In the rally, Raila instead opted to play safe, asking residents to choose between David Musila of the Jubilee party and Julius Malombe of Kalonzo Musyoka’s Wiper party movement.
Ngilu and Musila had earlier met before Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka returned to Azimio.
The duo discussed who would drop their bid in support of another to clinch the Kitui gubernatorial race ahead of Wiper Party’s candidate.
The Fielding of two candidates affiliated with the Azimio la Umoja coalition party had caused jitters in the camp which has been pushing to consolidate Eastern votes.
Ngilu becomes the second high-ranking politician to take a break from elective politics.
Last month, Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki made a similar announcement after he lost the chance to deputize presidential candidate William Ruto who picked Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua.
