Written By Ramadhan Kambi 📝
Former Ganze MP Francis Baya has joined vocal Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa who is eyeing the Kilifi gubernatorial seat on a UDA ticket.
The move by the veteran politician is a big boost for Ms Jumwa.
The former powerful Provincial Commissioner and Ganze MP described as very influential dropped his bid to run for governor on an ODM ticket but decided to support Jumwa and Deputy President William Ruto’s UDA Party and Kenya kwanza alliance to ensure victory prevails.
The outgoing Malindi MP also got another boost after a Pamoja African Alliance Party parliamentary aspirant in Kilifi North Ruth Bendera ditched the party and joined UDA promising to support Jumwa’s bid for governor, Kilifi North MP Owen Baya’s reelection, and Deputy president Wiliam Ruto to be the fifth president of Kenya.
While making the declaration with his supporters at his home after a closed-door meeting with Jumwa Baya said he had resolved to support Jumwa because she is the only candidate who is courageous, fearless, and determined to spur development in Kilifi County.
He said Jumwa was like the late Mijikenda heroine Mekatilili wa Menza who led the Giriama in rebellion against the British colonial and expressed confidence that he would transform the county that has suffered for the last 10 years.
“I would like to assure you that we will support you to become governor because you are able but we want you to help in bringing development in our county,” he said.
The former Assistant Minister told Jumwa not to be like the current Governor to be controlled by outsiders and to stay outside Kilifi yet there is a governor’s residence in Kilifi.
He said he expects her to support the small-scale farmers so as to uplift the standards of living with the resources that will be allocated to the county.
Further Baya said he would campaign for Deputy President William Ruto to ensure that he becomes the next president.
Jumwa on her part said she was glad to receive Baya in UDA as he was a senior leader who commands respect with influence at the county level, regionally, and countrywide having served in different capacities for many years.
The MP said together as a team they will be able to win the governor seat and ensure DP Ruto also gets the majority votes in Kilifi.
After the ceremony, Jumwa also went to Kiwandani area within Kilifi town where together with Kilifi North MP Owen Baya received Ruth Bendera who was one of the PAA die-hards and campaigners but was denied a nomination ticket last minute by the party.
The ceremony was attended by hundreds of UDA supporters and those of Bendera who were formerly in PAA officially ditched the party and joined UDA.
Bendera said she was one of the key campaigners of PAA and said she was betrayed by the party after they denied her ticket and gave it to a young man.
“At first, I had decided to completely quit politics because of the betrayal but I thank my sister Jumwa and Owen Baya who encourage her to join UDA and support their election and that of Ruto,” she said.
She asked Jumwa to ensure her administration helps the youth majority who lack jobs and are forced to do odd jobs while consuming drugs despite the fact that they went to school.
Bendera said girls are also suffering by going to the gulf to look for casual employment and asked the governor hopeful to ensure they are supported locally.
“I will ensure that all the votes are directed to Jumwa, my brother Owen Baya and Ruto to be president of Kenya,” he said.
The Kilifi North MP said out of all the contestants for Governor in Kilifi it is Jumwa who has the credentials and ability to take the county forward.
He said the PAA governor aspirant George Kithi who is popularly known as Mtetezi has never helped anyone in his career but has only helped to protect Governor Kingi.
Baya called on residents of Kilifi to vote for Ruto to be the fifth president Jumwa as the second governor of Kilifi and to serve the second term together with all UDA aspirants so that they elect six pieces.
The legislator said the bottom-up economy will be implemented in Kilifi County to ensure that those who are poor are empowered to live better lives.
Jumwa will be battling with Mung’aro of ODM, George Kithi of PAA, and Franco Esposito alias Kasoso Baya an independent candidate.
Jumwa was the first woman to win a parliamentary seat in Kilifi and if she wins the battle with the men in the race she will become the first woman governor in the Coast region.
Get Published Today
Email: uzalendonews24@gmail.com to submit your story.
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL
