Nairobi Governor Anne Kananu drops out of race, backs Polycarp Igathe

Nairobi Governor Anne Kananu has now backed out of the race to defend her seat, instead resolving to support the bid of corporate bigwig turned politician Polycarp Igathe.

This comes after the Raila Odinga-led Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party last week unveiled Igathe as the political faction’s candidate in the hotly-contested Nairobi governor race.

Governor Kananu, addressing a press conference on Wednesday, called for the city residents to support the former Equity Chief Commercial Officer saying the capital would be safer in his hands.

She further advised aspirants who were also seeking the seat under the Jubilee Party or the larger Azimio la Umoja One Kenya umbrella against running on independent tickets saying that would only serve to create an unecessary split.

“I want to assure Polycarp Igathe that I’m going to give you 100% of my support. I want to assure all my supporters for the Nairobi gubernatorial position that you’re safe under Igathe and Azimio," she said.

"Leadership yetu iliamua hivo kwa sababu ilijua mahali tunaelekea, na kwa sababu iliamini Igathe anaweza. Wengine wetu ningependa kuwaomba, especially those who think they can go to independent, I’m asking all of you to focus on our party and support Igathe in the race.”

Igathe, on his part, lauded Governor Kananu for her support saying: “It’s very important that Nairobians see that there is continuity, not just in elections but politics. Siasa si mchezo ya kupigana ama kuuana, na mkishindana – kama vile tumemaliza mashindano ya primaries katika vyama vyetu – sote turudi pamoja.”

Azimio la Umoja One Kenya party leader Raila Odinga on April 22 laid out the political faction’s much-awaited line-up for the country’s capital.

Odinga announced that Westlands Member of Parliament Tim Wanyonyi and businessman Richard Ngatia had agreed to step down and support Igathe.