President Uhuru Kenyatta's decision on Nairobi gubernatorial nominees welcomed

Dagoreti South member of parliament Dennis Waweru addresses guests at the 680 Hotel in Nairobi during a fund raising. Waweru, along with other Jubilee aspirants for the Nairobi County governor's seat have praised the President for the assurance that party nominations will be democratic. (PHOTO: EDWARD KIPLIMO/ STANDARD)

Jubilee aspirants for the Nairobi County governor's seat have praised the President for the assurance that party nominations will be democratic.

Dagoretti South MP Dennis Waweru and former Starehe MP Margaret Wanjiru said President Uhuru Kenyatta's pronouncement that he had no preferred candidate would shame certain individuals engaging in boardroom negotiations.

The two are among Jubilee politicians jostling to unseat Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero in the 2017 polls. The alleged endorsement of Water Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa had rattled some Jubilee hopefuls.

On Tuesday, President Kenyatta assured aspirants that only popular candidates would bag the party nomination certificates.

The Head of State also warned Jubilee politicians against claiming they had been endorsed by him and Deputy President William Ruto.

And yesterday, Mr Waweru said Nairobians would decide who would be their next governor.

The legislator criticised certain Jubilee leaders for their alleged scheme to handpick a candidate, saying they should forget about forcing a candidate on Nairobians.

He criticised MPs Ferdinand Waititu (Kabete) and Kanini Kega (Kieni) for meddling in the affairs of city politics.

"President Kenyatta has made it clear that candidates have to meet on the ballot," said Waweru yesterday. He termed Mr Waititu as a loser who was using Nairobi politics to earn political support for his Kiambu bid.

"We want to tell people going round using Uhuru and Deputy William Ruto's name to forget it," he added.