Former Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki has dropped her bid to succeed Francis Kimemia as the next governor for Nyandarua County in the forthcoming August 9 General Election.
Addressing the press on Thursday evening April 28, the former Water CS detailed her last-minute decision to opt out of the Nyandarua gubernatorial race.
Sicily explained that her decision to quit the race was informed by a number of consultations with top leaders in the Jubilee Party, a faction led by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
After conducting a wide range of consultations, she decided to shelve her political ambitions. She described the move as a sacrifice to allow Kimemia to fly the Jubilee ticket in a bid to defend his seat.
"It’s been a lot of soul searching, consultation after another and I finally decided to sacrifice," Sicily stated.
She however disclosed her plans to serve the residents of Nyandarua county in another capacity which she did not immediately disclose.
"Leadership is about sacrifice, you cannot lead people without sacrificing, and dropping my bid does not in any way mean I have no power, I will take another action and will serve Nyandarua people at another level," Sicily explained.
Her decision comes barely days after she stormed Jubilee Party headquarters protesting the move by the party to give governor Kimemia, a direct nomination to defend his seat.
Sources intimated to Kenyans.co.ke that President Uhuru had to intervene to end the stalemate between Kimemia, a former head of Public Service and Sicily.
The party Secretary General, Jeremiah Kioni, disclosed that the aspirants who fail to get the ticket will be offered another position.
"The party leader has the final say on this issue. Uhuru will personally call the confirmation candidate and also call the opponent to inform him or her of his decision and offer to the opponent," Kioni stated.
Following the standoff, the incumbent governor appealed to his supporters to remain calm as the party makes the final decision.
"We are optimistic about getting the certificate so that we can hit the ground running. I am confident the Jubilee Party will win all seats in Nyandarua, we have the campaign strategy.
"Some forces are determined to push me to contest as the independent candidate but I belong to Jubilee," he stated.
Sicily Kariuki resigned from President Uhuru Kenyatta's cabinet on Wednesday, 9, to comply with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission's directive on public servants and state officers seeking elective positions.
At the time, the CS state, “This is a position of planning, consulting and of asking the what-if questions. When my campaigns kick-off, you will know more. I'm humbled by the achievements attained in my ministry so far. I am going to take my leadership experience which spans over 30 years to Nyandarua."
