Former envoy Kiema Kilonzo rebuffs Wiper pleas
Kenya’s former Ambassador to Uganda Kiema Kilonzo has rejected Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka’s overtures for him to drop his bid for Kitui Governor and instead be the party’s candidate for Mombasa governorship in place of Mike Sonko who has been barred from vying.
Kilonzo yesterday maintained that he is firmly in the Kitui governorship race and will not back down from the said position despite Kalonzo sending emissaries to him to persuade him to drop his bid.
Kilonzo said he would not play substitute to anyone and disclosed that for the last two days Wiper has been pleading with him to accept its offer in order to allow Julius Malombe who was issued with the party’s ticket to be the only candidate vying for Kitui governorship under wiper.
“I am not a second choice to anyone. They (party officials) approached me last night and this morning,” said Kilonzo. The decision by Kiema comes even as the case he filed challenging the nomination of Malombe has been transferred to the Kitui High Court for further dealing.
“ Pursuant to Rule 8 of the Mutunga rulings, the petition is hereby transferred to the High Court of Kitui for further dealing. The Hon Deputy Registrar to inform the petitioner accordingly,” ruled Justice Mrima.
On Monday, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Disputes Tribunal gave Wiper party 72 hours to nominate a candidate to vie for the position of governor Mombasa county.
