Kenneth Marende. PHOTO: nation.co.ke

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Former Speaker of the National Assembly Kenneth Marende has joined the Nairobi gubernatorial race.

Marende said he will vie on a United Democratic Party (UDP) ticket.

In February, he hinted at vying for the seat on an ODM ticket.

The Raila Odinga led party however handed incumbent Governor Evans Kidero a direct nomination.

Marende joined politics in 2002 after successfully vying for Emuhaya Constituency seat.

He rose into prominence during the reign of the Grand Coalition Government when he was elected speaker of a much-divided Parliament in 2008 after the disputed 2007 presidential election.

He will face Governor Kidero, lawyer Miguna Miguna and either Peter Kenneth or Senator Mike Sonko of Jubilee in the gubernatorial race.