[Kisii Deputy Governor Joash Maangi with President Uhuru Kenyatta. He has dropped his gubernatorial bid in favour of Chris Obure. Photo/Vincent Osumo]
Jubilee Party may after all not hold governorship nominations in Kisii County after Deputy Governor Joash Maangi agreed to drop his gubernatorial bid.
In a deal seems to have been brokered by President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto, Maangi said he would not run for governorship.
The shock announcement means Senator Chris Obure would face incumbent James Ongwae of ODM, Manson Nyamweya of KNC and Wiper Lumumba Nyaberi in August.
“I have weighed options and I have decided to pull out of the race. However, I will be working with Jubilee Party to deliver all seats in Gusii,” he said during a rally at Nyanturago on Wednesday.
Mr. Maangi added: “We need unity to deliver and that compounds shelving our ambitions. That is the only way we can achieve in life.”
Already Mr. Obure has picked Eng. Albert Nyaundi as his running mate, an indication that Maangi will not be in his equation.
However, sources within Jubilee coalition says that Maango would get a key appointment should Jubilee government win in August.