NYERI, Kenya, March 20 – Rigathi Gachagua, brother to the late Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua has announced that he will not be seeking to succeed his brother in the August gubernatorial race.
He will instead go for the Mathira parliamentary seat following, “consultations,” he said, with his supporters.
Rigathi however said that him and a, “wide political machinery that has tentacles all over the county with over 10,000 members and covering more than 500 polling stations,” are still “shopping” for a Governor.
He said that the machinery he affectionately talks of and that he claims was used by his late brother is still intact, highly networked and ready to support the most suitable person.
He said that their yet to be made decision revolves around the candidacy of Nyeri Senator Mutahi Kagwe and current Governor Samuel Wamathai.
Rigathi highlighted the important role the two played during Governor Gachagua’s time in office by offering him unwavering political support despite stiff opposition from various quarters.
“We are confused on who to support to be the next governor of Nyeri. However, we are quite sure that Kagwe and Wamathi who have declared their bid are fully qualified to occupy the office,” he stated.
He also said the direction to be taken will become clear after Jubilee party nominations coming up next month, adding that there are talks for the two to partner up after the primaries and the Jubilee party delegates have made their pick.
Other candidates in the race to occupy the office of Nyeri Governor’s mansion are Wahome Gakuru, Thuo Mathenge, Patrick Munene Kairu and Githinji Kinyanjui .
The statement by Rigathi may stir up political temperatures in the county where those opposed to how Gachagua led the county want any person affiliated to him get out of county’s political equation.