Deputy President William Ruto, on Wednesday, February 10, convinced a candidate in the upcoming Matungu by-election to quite the race in favour of the Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate.
In a statement, the DP revealed that he held talks with Ronald Anzelimo Kongoti and managed to convince him to step down from the race.
The former mayor agreed to withdraw his candidature and instead support Alex Lanya who is the UDA candidate, and supported by the DP.
"Met with Ronald Anzelimo Kongoti, the former Mayor Mumias and a candidate in the Matungu by-election.
"Kongoti has graciously accepted to vacate his political ambitions and support Alex Lanya, the hustler candidate," stated the DP.
The meeting was held in Karen, Nairobi, with former Sports CS Rashid Echesa in attendance.
In January, Kongoti was among the top contenders who had refused to step aside after a meeting with DP Ruto and his team held in Nairobi.
The seven aspirants refused to drop their bid in favour of the party's preferred candidate following a closed-door meeting in Nairobi.
A gathering was convened on Thursday, January 7, with the aspirants meeting former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale and his Machakos counterpart Johnston Muthama where they were promised the party's backing.
The aspirants claimed at the time that they were duped into attending the meeting, and had as a result disassociated themselves from the party.
Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) slated the Matungu by-election for March 4.
