BY SHADRACK NYAKOE
The Jubilee Party has endorsed Richard Ngatia as its flag bearer for Nairobi Governors seat.
The endorsement happened on Saturday before the Jubilee Party Leader -President Uhuru Kenyatta.
ODM leader Raila Odinga also witnessed the endorsement.
The move left his opponents, Nairobi Governor Anne Kananu and Businesswoman Agnes Kagure shell –shocked.
Political pundits said by Uhuru and Raila embracing Ngatia, he is the preferred Azimio La Umoja candidate for Nairobi.
Ngatia was among the lead officials who lined up to welcome President Uhuru at the colorful event held at KICC.
He also enjoys a good relationship with former Jubilee Party Secretary General Raphael Tuju and the Vice Chairman David Murathe.
In his speech, Tuju said that Jubilee remains strong and vibrant adding that it will be going for every available seat including Nairobi Governor.
“We have come a long way as a Party. Today, we begin another journey that will take us to another level. We are going to compete and our battle starts here in Nairobi,”Tuju said.
During the NDC, Ngatia sat at the front row among top party officials, Governors and other invited guests.
Interestingly, the presence of Governor Ann Kananu went unnoticed by both President Uhuru and ODM leader Raila Odinga despite her sitting close to Mombasa governor Hassan Joho.
Kananu’s efforts to paint the event in her campaign colors hit a brick wall.
She had lined up a number of cars dotted in Jubilee colors and her campaign slogans but the cars were denied entry to the KICC grounds.
For Agnes Kagure, she remained seated in the middle of the pack, struggling to gain attention throughout the session.
Kagure has focused her energy on Ward based mobilization.
In Kasarani, Ngatia’s opponent Tim Wanyonyi was present during the ODM NDC.
Wanyonyi is the only ODM candidate who has declared interest in the seat.
Political observers have labeled the contest for Nairobi as a battle between Ngatia and Wanyonyi with both enjoying support from their respective parties.
However, observers say that both ODM and Jubilee are likely to support Ngatia.
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