Lamu Senator Abu Chiaba has announced that he has retired from active politics after he was defeated in the Jubilee Party nomination exercise.
Mr Chiaba a veteran ally of President Uhuru Kenyatta was trounced by Anwar Loitiptip, who garnered 3,868 against Chiaba's 1,076.
He conceded defeat shortly after the official announcement of the results and thanked the people of Lamu for the support in his years of representation.
“I have accepted the Lamu people’s choice. I also take this opportunity to thank the people of Lamu for choosing me to represent them for over 20 years as MP and Senator. I wish them well,” stated Chiaba.
The senator, who has been in active politics since 1992, was first elected to the National Assembly as the representative of Lamu East constituency on a Kenya African National Union (KANU) ticket.
In 2002, he defended the seat using the same party but decamped in 2007 to the Party of National Unity (PNU), which he used to defend his seat.
In 2013, the legislator joined The National Alliance (TNA) party and vied for the Lamu senatorial seat which he won.
He joins a long list of top politicians who have been defeated in the just concluded Jubilee primaries.
In Kiambu, Governor William Kabogo was on Wednesday floored by his rival Kabete MP Ferdinand Waititu while in Nakuru County, Governor Kinuthia Mbugua lost to former National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) Chairman Lee Kinyanjui.
A similar scenario played out in Nyeri County, where Senator Mutahi Kagwe lost to Doctor Wahome Gitari.
