Caption: Kitui Governor Dr Julius Malombe at a past function.Photo source: www.citizentv.co.ke
Kitui Governor Dr Julius Malombe is on his way to retain the seat after beating Kitui Senator David Musila in a tough contest.
Malombe emerged the winner because all MPs aligned to Wiper from the county backed his re-election, reports Nation.
The county had the support of Minority Leader in the National Assembly Francis Nyenze, Woman Representative Nyiva Mwendwa and even Dr Malombe’s deputy Penina Malonza, who was recently put on the spot for insulting him in the light of cameras.
The other leaders who rallied the electorate behind Malombe included Makali Mulu (Kitui Central), Mutua Muluvi (Kitui East), Mr Nyenze (Kitui West) and Charles Nyamai (Kitui Rural) among others.
Malombe garnered 88,382 votes against Musila’s 74,308. Wiper took over 50 hours to complete the tallying process after the aspirants disagreed over different issues.
The incumbent governor will now lock horns with former Lands minister Charity Kaluki Ngilu in the forthcoming general polls.
Ngilu has insisted that she is the best candidate to replace Malombe ahead of August.
The legislator, who has vowed to rally residents behind former Vice President Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, has been accusing Malombe for doing little to improve the welfare of Kitui residents since he took over power.