The National Super Alliance (NASA) Presidential Candidate Raila Odinga on Wednesday suffered a major blow after elders from the Ukambani region (Kitui County) endorsed President Uhuru Kenyatta's re-election bid.
The elders from 22 clans in Kitui endorsed President Kenyatta's re-election bid noting that he had ensured equitable development in the region.
The over 600 elders who met in a Kitui hotel cited the President's move to empower the elderly through cash transfer program as one of the key achievements of the Jubilee administration in the region.
The elders mentioned that over 14,000 people had benefitted from the transfer and added that they would re-elect President Kenyatta to ensure that more people benefit.
The group led by the Kamba Council of Elders national chairman Boniface Kilonzo promised to counsel the youth not to be misused by some politicians to cause chaos during the electioneering period.
Kilonzo mentioned that the council was working with Gikuyu, Embu and Meru Association (Gema) leaders to promote co-existence between the two communities ahead of the General Election.
“The Kamba nation has for decades co-existed with communities in Mount Kenya region socially, economically and politically and the same should be upheld as the country goes for August election,” he stated.
Ukambani is perceived to be a NASA stronghold as they overwhelmingly voted for Mr Odinga and his running mate Kalonzo Musyoka in 2013 General Election.
In 2013, Raila and Kalonzo garnered 219,588 votes whereas President Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto got 40,752 votes.
