Jubilee opts out in Kitui West by-election

Jubilee Party on Friday 19th January confirmed it will not field a candidate in the Kitui West parliamentary by-election slated for March 26.

In a statement to newsrooms, Jubilee Party Secretary General Raphael Tuju said that the party has instead decided to back Wiper Party candidate Edith Nyenze.

The ruling party also cited the death of Francis Nyenze,Mrs. Nyenze’s husband on December 6, as a reason for not fielding a candidate in the by-election.

“…It is therefore appropriate and compassionate that the widow is granted a chance by the people of Kitui West to implement the development agenda championed by her late husband who was a leader of national repute,” read the statement in part.

This comes after Mrs. Nyenze won the Wiper Party nominations on January 17, beating her rival Maluki Kitili Mwendwa.

The move also comes as a timely boost for Mrs. Nyenze who is deemed the favourite amid competition from five other contestants, three of whom vied for the parliamentary seat and lost in the August 8 election.