Juja parliamentary aspirant drops his bid, backs opponent
Independent aspirant for the Juja parliamentary seat Muiga Rugara has pulled out of the race and thrown his weight behind one of his opponents Prof Joseph Ng'ang'a 'Mustard'.
Rugara who was among the 8 candidates cleared by IEBC to vie for the seat was among three other former parliamentary hopefuls who declared they have formed the 'United for Juja' coalition to campaign for Prof Ng'ang'a, also an independent candidate.
Both Rugara and Ng'ang'a are lecturers at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) and were listed by the electoral body along with six others to fight it out in the August 9 elections.
Also on the ballot is the incumbent George Koimburi (UDA), Aloise Kinyanjui (Jubilee), Dorcas Chege (Tujibebe), David Kamau (Usawa Party), Anthony Kirori (Independent) and Jennifer Ndung'u (TSP).
Addressing a press conference in Juja where he declared his withdrawal, Rugara said he will present his letter of withdrawal to the IEBC so that his name is removed from the ballot.
"I made this decision in the best interest of Juja and its people because I believe the leadership of my brother and friend Prof Ng'ang'a can take our constituency to new levels after years of underdevelopment," said Rugara.
Prof Ng'ang'a vowed to deliver the seat as an independent and pledged to work with whoever forms the next government towards building a prosperous Juja.
Meanwhile, 21- year old Kevin Kariuki Mbuthia, an independent candidate for the Kalimoni ward still in Juja broke into tears of joy after being presented with a nomination certificate by IEBC.
The young MCA contender said he was overcome by the support he got from residents while collecting nomination signatures and pledged to work tirelessly to uplift the ward if elected.
