Nakuru GOVERNOR Lee Kinyanjui has said he has no plans to be Raila’s running mate in the 2022 presidential race.
Instead, Mr Kinyanjui said he would defend his governorship in the August 9, 2022 General Elections.
The governor, who was speaking in the Rongai area when issuing land titles to Internal Refugees (IDPs), has now dismissed rumors that he had intended to be Mr Odinga’s running mate.
The rumors surfaced after he was seen accompanying Mr Odinga to various campaign rallies in the country.
Mr Odinga is expected to announce his intention to run for president on December 9, 2021.
Speaking in an interview with Kikamba-language radio stations last week, Mr Odinga said he had not nominated a co-candidate so far.
“I have not announced that I will run for the presidency. “Also, the claim that I will nominate my candidate from the Mount Kenya region is untrue – no decision has been made,” he said.
Mr Kinyanjui insisted that he would run again for the last term to complete his development projects which he started in the last term.
“I know people are praying for me to be the deputy president. Not bad. That shows that Kenyans trust me. But I confirm that I will run for governor of Nakuru in the next General Elections, ”said Mr Kinyanjui.
Mr Kinyanjui will face four politicians who have already announced their intention to run for governor in 2022.
Among them is his longtime political rival Senator Susan Kihika of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party and Deputy President William Ruto.
Mr Kinyanjui announced he would defend the seat through his Ubuntu People’s Forum (UPF) party.
“I am a member of Jubilee. But now I have joined my fellow politicians with the same vision and we have formed a UPF party. We will use this party to defend the interests of the people of Nakuru within the next government, ”said Mr Kinyanjui.
He said that although the UPF was not officially launched, it had received strong support in various parts of Kenya.
Initially, the UPF party was known as the Citizens Convention Party (CCP) before it was renamed.
The UPF is led by Mr Kinyanjui’s party, including Mr Samuel Kinya Rukahu who is the party leader. Most of the UPF leaders are Governor Kinyanjui’s political advisers.
Other UPF leaders are Kenneth Kuria Mbaria who is a youth leader, Ms Beatrice Nyawira Wambugu (chairperson) and Mr Njoroge Gichuhi (Secretary General).
Ms Nyawira is the political adviser to Governor Kinyanjui.
“I will support Mr Odinga in the 2022. presidential race. Our new party supports Mr Odinga,” said Mr Kinyanjui.
