President Uhuru Kenyatta accompanied by Deputy President William Ruto and Lamu Governor Issa Timamy after unveiling a commemorative plaque of the construction of Garsen-Witu-Lamu Road on Thursday. Photo/ PSCU.
Lamu Governor Issa Timamy has said he will not back the re-election of President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto during the forthcoming general election.
Despite attempts to woo the governor to defect to Jubilee, Timamy has maintained that he will support the candidate the National Super Alliance (NASA) will front to go for the nation’s top seat come August.Timamy said his decision to remain in the opposition is not personal, adding that it’s the choice of the people. Speaking during a meeting attended by council of elders and residents at Mwana Arafa Hotel in Lamu on Sunday, Timamy admitted UhuRuto attempted to pull him away from the opposition during their tour in the region.“When the president came we held a meeting in which he wanted me to ditch NASA and join Jubilee. They said if I join JP there will be more development here. I told them that I would think about it. Today am here to seek your indulgence on the matter, as your decision will be my lead,” said Timamy, as quoted by Baraka FM. He further said that he will be defending his seat on an ANC ticket.“I won’t be moving to or supporting Jubilee. I continue to be in NASA on my ANC party. My people have decided,” he added.The elders, however, accused the current leadership of sidelining the county for fours years, only for them to turn up during the election year in the name of seeking support from residents. “For all the five years they were in power both the president and his deputy never recognized Timamy but now all of sudden they are very interested in having him join their side. Of course we know it’s all for amassing votes nothing else. Its very weird and we want the governor to be very cautious,” said Nassir Abdullahi, one of the elders.