Italian-born Tycoon, Franco Esposito, has announced his decision to quit politics after dismal performance in the Kilifi gubernatorial race.
Speaking to the media on Saturday, August 13, Esposito, stated that he would focus on his personal life after garnering 2,709 votes in the August 9 polls.
He also expressed his disappointment over his loss noting that he was running on reforms and development agenda.
Esposito was vying as an independent candidate and lost to governor-elect Gideon Mung'aro.
"My motto was without education there is no future, children who do not go to school have got no chance to survive especially in this competitive world and therefore it is extremely important,"
"I think am going to retire after this. I will remain in Kenya because it's my country I love it. I will dedicate more time to myself travelling a little bit as far as I can to see the world and eventually in the next few years retire,"
Nonetheless, he decried incidents of electoral malpractice witnessed in the polls citing instances where culprits were arrested for attempting to bribe voters.
The tycoon added that the poverty levels in the area also contributed to the bribery cases recorded in the area.
"A few unfortunate things happened when I heard reports of vote buying, some people were found with ballot papers with some pre-organised ballots.
"Unfortunately people are very poor in Kilifi and Ksh100 is a packet of flour," he stated.
Mung'aro emerged as the winner in the Kilifi race after garnering 143, 773 votes.
Outgoing Malindi lawmaker Aisha Jumwa came in second with 65,893 votes followed by city-based lawyer George Kithi who got 64,326 votes.
