Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Maliti announced his decision to withdraw from the gubernatorial race on Tuesday, July 26.
Maliti stated he would instead support Wavinya Ndeti of the Wiper Party and one of the two candidates belonging to the Azimio Coalition.
The move dealt a second blow to the Kenya Kwanza coalition in a new wave of defections - with just 13 days to the August 9 General Election.
The development came two days after Maliti's running mate Rose Wambua dropped her bid and endorsed former State House Chief of Staff Nzioka Waita.
After Maliti's running mate quit on July 24, he urged his supporters to stay put, stating he was a man on a mission to win the seat.
"My great people of Machakos, thank you for your overwhelming support so far. We are in this race to WIN undeterred. I am a Man on a mission. Stay put," stated Maliti.
DP Ruto and flagbearer Raila Odinga are battling out for the 620,254 votes in Machakos to add to their vote basket and secure victory in the August 9 General Election.
The region is a perceived stronghold of Odinga after he managed to partner with Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka in the coalition.
As the country enters into the homestretch of the General Election, last-minute defections have become a strategy for the teams to attempt to get an upper hand.
Another blow to DP Ruto was in June when Azimio running mate Martha Karua received about 60 county coordinators who had defected from UDA, an affiliate party of Kenya Kwanza.
The coordinators were handed over by Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Muriithi at a political rally in Nanyuki. Laikipia has 257,514 total registered voters.
“It is evident that the grassroots structure is moving towards our side here in Laikipia. We welcome everyone to join Azimio because we have outperformed the Kenya Kwanza alliance,” Muriithi noted.
