Tujibebe Wakenya party leader William Kabogo has finally withdrawn from next year’s presidential race.
While addressing a political rally in Thika on Sunday, December 19, Kabogo said he has bowed to pressure from the electorate to contest the Kiambu gubernatorial position.
Kabogo who had thrown his hat in the 2022 presidential ring further said he made the decision after listening keenly to the ground.
“I have been listening to the people of Kiambu who want me to go for the governor’s seat. I will obey your wishes despite the fact that I was interested in the presidency,” Kabogo said during the event also attended by One Kenya Alliance principals.
Kabogo’s entry into Kiambu gubernatorial race heightens the fight for the seat currently held by Governor James Nyoro in what is expected to be a titanic battle involving at least six political heavyweights.
Apart from the incumbent, former Governor Ferdinand Waititu, Kiambu Senator Kimani Wamatangi, Kiambu County Assembly Speaker Stephen Ndicho, and Thika Town MP Patrick Wainaina have all expressed interest in the gubernatorial seat.
However, there are mixed signals that Senator Wamatangi could opt for the presidential seat in the 2022 elections.
Both Waititu and Wainaina are expected to fight for Deputy President William Ruto’s UDA ticket while Nyoro, Ndicho, and Wamatangi are yet to declare their 2022 election vehicles.
In August 2021, the former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo declared his interest to succeed retiring President Uhuru Kenyatta in the 2022 General Election.
“I want to urge us all to take the opportunity to plan ourselves. We always cry after every electioneering cycle. If we are not careful others will take advantage of us. That is why I want to vie for the presidency next year,” Kabogo said shortly after launching his political vehicle.