Governor William Kabogo. Political analyst Peter Ngure says that the governor faces an uphill task in wooing for support after four aspirants backed Kabete MP Ferdinand Waititu’s gubernatorial bid. [Photo: zipo.co.ke]
The decision by four Kiambu gubernatorial aspirants to drop their bid and back Kabete MP Ferdinand Waititu's gubernatorial ambition should be a worrying signal to the incumbent William Kabogo, a political analyst has said.
According to Peter Ngure, a Kiambu based political analyst and constitutional lawyer, Kabogo now faces an uphill task in wooing for support after Waititu’s endorsement by other aspirants.
Waititu’s gubernatorial bid received a boost on Saturday after he was endorsed by four other aspirants who had declared interest to unseat Kabogo.
Real estate tycoon David Gakuyo, James Nyoro, John Mugwe and businesswoman Njoki Gathendu on Saturday endorsed Waititu’s bid saying that they will rally behind him to send Kabogo packing.
Speaking in Kimende, Lari constituency on Saturday, the four aspirants who dropped their bid said that Waititu is the right candidate to send Kabogo home.
Waititu, Nyoro, Mugwe, Gakuyo and Njoki have now formed the ‘United for Kiambu’ outfit that they say will streamline development across Kiambu.
In a power-sharing deal, the five agreed to have Waititu as governor, Nyoro as Waititu’s running mate and in-charge of Economic affairs Gakuyo as Chief Minister and executive for lands, Mugwe as Roads executive and Njoki as Trade and Legal affairs executive once they form government.
The five said that they have an agenda of transforming Kiambu into an economic and industrial hub if elected in August.
Under the power-sharing deal, the five also agreed that Waititu will be dealing with political affairs while his deputy will be in charge of spearheading the county’s economic agenda.
Ngure notes that Waititu’s new alliance is now a real threat to kabogo’s re-election bid.
“Waititu is likely to have an upper hand after receiving backing from the four aspirants who dropped their gubernatorial bid in his favour,” he said on Tuesday.
Ngure observed that the quest for Kiambu top seat will be a two-horse race pitting Kabogo against Waititu.
Kabogo is seeking re-election and has exuded confidence he will be re-elected in August.
The Kiambu governor says that his administration has performed to deserve a second term.
Kabogo and Waititu have not been seeing eye to eye and have been embroiled in legal battles as they contest for political supremacy.
They are both seeking Jubilee Party endorsement in party nominations.