Two Pull Out of Nairobi Mayoral Race

27 July 2011

Two ODM councillors have withdrawn from the Nairobi mayoral elections race as a new entrant threw his hat in the ring.

Nominated councillor Simba Arati has joined acting Mayor George Aladwa and councillor William Kinyanyi for the party ticket.

Sources told the Nation that councillors Michael Ogada and Elisha Otieno opted to remain as chairmen of equally powerful Finance and Planning committees.

“I’m in the race after wide consultation and the need to bring visionary leadership to the council,” Mr Arati, who is also the staff committee chairman, said.

PNU nominations

This comes amid revelations that two Nairobi MPs allegedly pushed for the nomination of PNU’s James Gakuya during a meeting in Machakos at the weekend.

Public Health Minister Beth Mugo and Embakasi MP Ferdinand Waititu had held several meetings to drum up support for Mr Gakuya, who won the PNU ticket against Mr Bernard Mutura.

There were bitter exchanges between councillors George Wanjohi and Salome Wangu on Monday over the alleged interference.

Ms Wangu is an ally of Mrs Mugo while Mr Wanjohi was Mr Muturas’ chief strategist.

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