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Former Speaker Marende unveils his party for Nairobi’s governor race


 

Former National Assembly Speaker Kenneth Marende will run for the Nairobi gubernatorial seat on a United Democratic Party (UDP) ticket.

Mr Marende’s candidature has been confirmed by the party’s secretary general Mr Bern Wafukho.

Mr Wafukho told Nation through a telephone conversation that Mr Marende will launch his bid after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) gazettes his candidature.

Mr Wafukho noted that Mr Marende is a founder member of the party and had already paid the Sh200,000 nomination fee.

DYNAMICS OF CITY

“As a party, we will unveil a very serious campaign. The choice for a running mate will be our strong card considering the dynamics of the city,” Mr Wafukho said.

UDP is associated with former Lugari MP Mr Cyrus Jirongo.

But Mr Wafukho said: “People should not just think Marende is coming in the race to divide the Luhya votes. He is a person of high standings and repute.”

“We are calling on people of goodwill, not just Luhyas, to support us,” he added.

Mr Marende, known for his rulings when he served as the Speaker of the National Assembly from 2007 to 2013, was formerly in ODM but left and joined Mr Jirongo to form UDP.

Mr Marende now joins a long list of aspirants seeking the powerful Nairobi seat.

Mr Marende did not respond to phone calls and a text message sent to him seeking his comment on the same.

BEST SUITED

However in November last year, Mr Marende told Nation that he was the best suited to lead Nairobi.

“I have interest and am angling for the Nairobi gubernatorial seat,” he said then.

At the time, he did not disclose the political party on whose ticket he will vie for the seat.

Other aspirants seeking the position are Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko (Jubilee), former Starehe MP Margaret Wanjiru (Jubilee), former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth (Jubilee) and Nairobi based lawyer Miguna Miguna (Independent).

Water Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, nominated MP Johnson Sakaja, Dagoretti South MP Dennis Waweru and Adopt-A-Light Chief Executive Officer Esther Passaris pulled out of the rest and announced they will be seeking different seats.