Jubilee's choice for Nairobi speaker candidate Beatrice Elachi. She has been endorsed by President Uhuru Kenyatta. [PHOTO/the-star.co.ke]
Jubilee's choice of Beatrice Elachi as the next Nairobi speaker candidate has been endorsed by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The decision was arrived at after the president's meeting with all of Jubilee Nairobi elected leaders last Saturday where he ordered the leaders to support the outgoing majority chief whip.
Jubilee scooped a whole 45 of the 85 MCA positions, meaning they will have the biggest say over the influential seat.
Uhuru's stance was backed by Nairobi JP chairperson Sanctus Ndengwa who said Kabando wa Kabando bowed out of the race to support Elachi.
"We are yet to settle on a candidate but Elachi is the front-runner. We want to give the seat to a woman and that of majority leader to a man for gender balance."
However, outgoing Kware MCA Ngondi on Sunday opposed Uhuru's stance, adding that he needs only seven Jubilee MCA votes to clinch the seat.
"We are making a lot of efforts and as a worthy competitor, I am confident the the MCAs will overlook party affiliations and elect me," he said.
"These are elected and responsible leaders who will make their decisions independently."
Ngondi critisised the president for imposing an 'incompetent' Elachi to serve his personal interests, arguing that he (Uhuru) was depriving Jubilee MCAs their democratic rights.