The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party gubernatorial aspirant in Isiolo, Hussein Tene, quit the race Sunday July 17, in favour of Independent candidate Godana Doyo.
Tene withdrew from the race with just 21 days left to the August 9, 2022 general election.
“Today (Sunday), I have officially stepped down for my brother Godana Doyo,”Tene stated.
This deals a major blow to Deputy President William Ruto's led political outfit Kenya Kwanza as the clock ticks towards August 9.
In a celebratory stance in a town hall in Isiolo, Doyo thanked Tene and his deputy for the kind gesture.
"In a historic moment in Isiolo today gubernatorial aspirant Hussein Tene Dabaso and his running mate Mugabe stepped down in my favor. I'm humbled by their noble gesture," remarked Doyo.
This is a blow to DP Ruto coming weeks after Azimio La Umoja flag bearer Raila Odinga toured the region.
A recent opinion poll by TIFA indicated that UDA was the most popular party in Isiolo county with 32 per cent, while Raila Odinga-led Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) had 27 per cent.
President Uhuru Kenyatta's Jubilee Party came in third at 22 per cent followed by George Wajackoyah's Roots party whose popularity is at 1 per cent.
Candidates in the high-stakes contest are Nairobi City County Assembly Majority Leader Abdi Guyo, former Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission chief executive Halakhe Waqo (ODM).
Others are Kenneth Turibo Maore (PNU), and little-known Kimaita Machuguma of Safina party.
Doyo was elected as the first governor of Isiolo in 2013 on a United Republican Party - URP, which was Ruto's wing in Jubilee.
He however failed to defend the seat in 2017, when he was trounced by the incumbent Dr Mohamed Kuti of the Party of Development and Reforms. Kuti quit the race citing health reasons.
