The August 8 Presidential candidates. One has not held even one campaign rally [Photo: KTN News Live]
With only 10 days to the August 8 election, United Democratic Party (UDP) presidential candidate Cyrus Jirongo has not held a single campaign rally.
The former Lugari MP said he decided to go for the topmost seat in the country after Western Kenya leaders; ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi or Moses Wetang'ula of Ford Kenya failed to be named NASA flag bearer.
“The feeling and agreement by Western leaders were that a Luhya must be on the ballot. Mudavadi and Wetang’ula were cheated and shortchanged in the NASA deal," he said during the launch of his presidential bid in Nairobi.
A close ally, Lugari UDP MP candidate Charles Werangai, told the Star that Jirongo was focused on the race to State House “until some challenges arose”.
The local daily said its efforts to reach the hopeful were unsuccessful as he did not answer calls or respond to text messages.
Francis Nzaywa, UDP MCA aspirant for Isukha East accused his party leader of abandoning candidates vying for various seats on the party ticket.
"He (Jirongo) has never even met his candidates since they received nomination certificates. I think he wasn’t serious about this presidency thing, but just went in to try and firm up his party,” Nzaywa told the Star.
Jirongo was among four candidates who snubbed Monday’s presidential debate held at the Catholic University of East Africa (CUEA).
He will face the incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta (Jubilee), Raila Odinga (NASA), Abduba Dida (Alliance for Real Change), Ekuru Aukot (Third Way Alliance) and independent candidates Michael Wainaina, Japheth Kaluyu and Joe Nyagah.