Kitui Governor Julius Malombe has rubbished claims that he is frightened by the entry of former Lands Cabinet Secretary (CS) Charity Ngilu into the gubernatorial race.
According to the Star, Malombe says that he is ready to battle it out with Ngilu and others who have declared interest to unseat him in 2017.
Addressing over 200 boda boda operators in Kitui town on Thursday, Malombe said that he can never be afraid of Ngilu or others who want to unseat him.
“I am ready to fight it out with Ngilu and others who have declared interest in the gubernatorial seat,” he said as quoted by the Star.
Malombe exuded confidence of being re-elected for a second term in 2017. He accused some aspirants eyeing to unseat him of allegedly using propaganda to fight him.
The Kitui governor also dismissed claims that he intends to quit Wiper party. Malombe said that he is in the Kalonzo Musyoka led party to stay.
There have been claims that Malombe is plotting to ditch Wiper and join Presdient Uhuru Kenyatta's Jubilee Party.
Last week, Mwingi North MP John Munuve asked Malombe to quit Wiper saying that the party will not endorse his re-election in 2017.
Munuve claimed that Wiper has already endorsed senator David Musila for the Kitui gubernatorial seat.
Malombe is facing stiff competition from Ngilu and Wiper party chairman David Musila.
Musila who is also the Kitui senator has vowed to send Malombe packing in 2017 accusing him of failing to deliver services to the people.
On Sunday last week, Ngilu held a series of meetings with women groups urging them to support her bid.
The Narc Party leader said that she is the right candidate to bring change in Kitui and the larger Ukambani region.
Kitui gubernatorial race will be among the ones to watch across the country ahead of the forthcoming 2017 polls.