Citizen TV's Francis Gachuri Responds on Vying for Kiambaa MP Seat

Citizen TV anchor Francis Gachuri in the studio during a live broadcast in 2019.
Citizen TV anchor Francis Gachuri in the studio during a live broadcast in 2019.
Citizen Digital
YouTube

Citizen TV anchor Political Editor Francis Gachuri has responded to a poster alleging that he would vie for the Kiambaa Parliamentary seat via the UDA party. 

Gachuri, on Thursday, April 1, distanced himself from the poster which claimed that he would quit his job to join the Deputy President William Ruto linked party. 

The presenter acknowledged that he indeed hailed from Kiambaa constituency but was not interested in succeeding the late MP Paul Koinange. Koinange succumbed to Covid-19 on Wednesday, March 31 at the Nairobi Hospital. 

The late Kiambaa MP Paul Koinange during a past media breifing
The late Kiambaa MP Paul Koinange during a past media breifing
File

“I have been a son of this constituency for the last 39 years and I am extremely proud of my roots. We lost our MP Hon Paul Koinange who I deeply and sincerely respected. I condole with his family, relative and friends. 

"Unfortunately, propagandists went on the overdrive and designed posters purporting I had declared interest in the vacant seat. How insensitive? The poster is classical fake news with an unknown motive. In Kiambaa, we do not celebrate death, we celebrate and value life," Gachuri clarified his stand during the News Gang show. 

The reports, according to the seasoned journalist, caused untold pain and suffering to Koinange's family and constituents. 

Gachuri, who works with anchor Jeff Koinange, the MP's cousin, said that he was forced to respond owing to the numerous calls he received from his followers and other interested parties. 

"If I wouldn't have supported the millions of Kenyans who have supported my work as a journalist for the past 16 years, I wouldn't have responded to the poster. I respect the viewers and listeners. 

"I have the best job in the world which I do not intend to trade for any other. I am a journalist, not a politician and  I do have no such desires. I do not intend to vie for any seat now or in the near future. The only election plan I have is to strive to provide the best coverage of the 2022 elections," he explained. 

Koinange, who was also President Uhuru Kenyatta’s cousin was elected on a Jubilee Party ticket served as a member of the National Assembly for Kiambaa since August 2017. 

He served as the Chairperson, Departmental Committee on Administration and National Security.

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The fake UDA poster which surfaced on Wednesday, March 31, 2021
File
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