Wamalwa’s Nairobi bid endorsed by home county leaders

Water Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa’s bid to unseat Nairobi Governor Dr Evans Kidero in the next year’s polls received backing from a section of leaders and teachers from his home county of Trans Nzoia.

Led by Saboti Member of Parliament David Lazaro, Trans Nzoia Women Representative Janet Nangabo, former Cabinet Minister and Jubilee National Steering Committee co-chair Dr Noah Wekesa and a section of teachers, the leaders backed Wamalwa’s bid saying that he has a right to contest for the post just like any other Kenyan.

They called on the Water CS to fight on in his bid to unseat Kidero.

Speaking ahead of the 13th anniversary to commemorate the death of former Vice President Kijana Wamalwa in Kitale, the Water CS pledged to ensure unity among city residents if elected in the 2017 General Election.

Early August, Wamalwa announced that he would seek Nairobi’s top post. Speaking while commissioning several CDF funded projects in Gatanga Constituency, Muranga County, Wamalwa promised to work towards building support for the President and his deputy within Nairobi.

“It is time for Uhuru, Ruto and I to take the role formerly played by our predecessors Mwai Kibaki and the late Kijana Wamalwa to strengthen our communities to foster development in this country,” said Wamalwa.

Reports would later emerge that 18 Members of Parliament and two Governors from the Western region endorsed Wamalwa for the seat.

Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka and his Vihiga counterpart Moses Akaranga are the two governors who voiced their support for Wamalwa, with MPs Ababu Namwamba (Budalangi), John Waluke (Sirisia), Benjamin Washiali (Mumias East), Ayub Savula (Lugari), Wafula Lazaro (Saboti), Trans Nzoia Women Representative Janet Nangabo and her Bungoma counterpart Reginalda Wanyonyi also backed Wamalwa’s quest to lead the city.

The alleged endorsement of Wamalwa by a section of Jubilee leaders caused disquiet within the coalition with those mention to have backed his bid distancing themselves from the remarks.

Wamalwa, a new-comer in Nairobi politics, will face the incumbent Evans Kidero of CORD and other contestants who have expressed interest in the position including Senator Gidion Mbuvi alias Mike Sonko and Dagoretti South MP Denis Waweru among others.