Maendeleo Chap Chap Secretary General Stephen Kilonzo yesterday said the party will not join forces with the Jubilee Party but will only back President Uhuru Kenyatta’s re-election in the August 8 general election.Addressing journalists in Kitui Town after declaring his bid for Kitui’s senatorial seat, Mr Kilonzo maintained that MCC will neither align itself with JP nor the National Super Alliance (Nasa) ahead of the national polls.
“We have, however, decided to support President Kenyatta as an individual owing to his impeccable track record. His administration has delivered on most of the promises he made to Kenyans before assuming power in 2013,” he said.
“Besides, his rivals have done nothing tangible for the betterment of this country despite holding powerful posts in previous regimes. They simply have no agenda for Kenyans,” he added.
Kilonzo is the latest entrant in Kitui’s senatorial race which has also attracted former Standard Group’s editor Enoch Kiio Wambua and Paul Mutisya, a Kitui-based accounting consultant.
He said he will run on a Chap Chap’s direct ticket.
Mr Wambua and Mutisya, on the other hand, are set to battle it out for the Wiper Party ticket during the party primaries slated for April 24. The winner will then face Mr Kilonzo at the ballot on August 8.
The seat is currently held by Senator David Musila who has declared interest to dethrone Governor Julius Malombe come the impending elections. Former Land Minister and Narc Party leader Charity Ngilu has also set eyes on the governor’s seat.
He said the slow-paced development experienced in Kitui since the inception of devolution in 2013 prompted him to vie for the Senate seat so as to join efforts with the next administration in a bid to foster meaningful socio-economic development.
“It is a shame that Kitui residents are still grappling with water scarcity, poor healthcare and food insecurity among other problems they faced since Kenya’s independence yet the county has been receiving its fair share of the national budget,” noted Kilonzo.
“I am keen to win this seat so that I can work hand in hand with the next governor with a view to delivering the locals from underdevelopment and poverty and lead the county into prosperity,” he emphasized.