Water and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary (CS) Eugene Wamalwa has revealed how he was forced to bolt out Nairobi gubernatorial race by a powerful group.
Wamalwa, during an interview with a local daily, stated that he decided to quit the race after the group from Mt Kenya region rejected his candidacy terming him 'an outsider'.
The CS noted that after declaring his bid for the seat, he received overwhelming support from city residents but the faction vowed to reject him since he was not from the region.
“My entry into city politics was received with a lot of support. Several leaders in the county supported my candidature. But down the road, I realised there was a group plotting against me because they were not comfortable with the big support I was getting,” he disclosed.
Though he did not reveal the names of the members, Wamalwa highlighted that the group consisted of elected leaders and businessmen who declared the city had to be managed by one of their own.
“Some people believe that Nairobi County is a crown in the jewel that should not be left to what they call an outsider as they referred to me. They forget that everybody is a player in Nairobi politics, they tried hard and I yielded,” he added.
The CS had shown interest in the crowded City contest and despite being supported by several MPs, his entry was met with opposition especially from Nairobi lawmakers.
After abandoning the race, he was later linked to Trans Nzoia governorship though he remained silent about his interest in the seat.
However, reports indicate that the CS together with his Devolution counterpart Mwangi Kiunjuri who was interested in Laikipia seat met President Uhuru Kenyatta who urged them to drop their bids and concentrate on working in his government.
