Ngatia, Wanyonyi, Kagure drop gubernatorial bids in favour of Igathe

Nairobi City gubernatorial aspirant Polycarp Igathe has claimed that fellow aspirants under the Azimio la Umoja coalition party have agreed to drop their bids and support his bid. Igathe made the remarks following consensus talks held at State House Nairobi on Thursday, April 21, 2022. The meeting was graced by Westlands Member of Parliament Tim Wanyonyi, businessman Richard Ngatia and businesswoman Agnes Kagure. Speaking to Citizen TV, Igathe dismissed claims that his fellow gubernatorial contestants maintained a tough stance during the talks. He noted that they had all verbally agreed to support him.

“I have personally reached out to all the major Azimio la Umoja candidates who have been running for the gubernatorial seat, Ngatia, Kagure and Wanyonyi. There is no crisis and I think that we should not manufacture a crisis. [caption id="attachment_17714" align="alignnone" width="860"] File image of former Nairobi Deputy Governor Polycarp Igathe. [Photo: Courtesy][/caption]

“I am pleased to tell you that verbally they have already confirmed to me that they will be supporting my candidature as governor of Nairobi and we are going together as a team," Igathe said.

He further revealed that the Azimio coalition will release an official statement on Friday, April 22.

“In terms of consultations, verbal conversations are not confirmed. What is confirmed is what comes out from our party leaders. It is really about winning together, not winning alone, and that conversation will be fully public tomorrow,” he said. He thanked his fellow Azimio contestants for agreeing to shelve their ambitions for his, noting that the decision was arrived at with the interests of Nairobians at heart. Igathe assured that Ngatia, Wanyonyi, and Kagure will play an important role in his administration should he be elected Nairobi governor in the August 9 general polls.

“There is a lot of cordiality among persons vying for elective seats. Elections are not a gladiator sport where you go and watch people getting their heads cut off or eaten by lions,” he said.  

“It is not life and death; it is one of us who will fly the flag and the rest who will not be able to fly the flag will be part of the administration and party moving forward.”