Silas Jakakimba pulls out of Homa Bay senate race

Homa Bay, Kenya: Homa Bay senatorial aspirant Silas Jakakimba has pulled out of the race to replace the late Otieno Kajwang’.

Announcing his withdrawal, Jakakimba cited threats to his life.

“Several things have since transpired including but not limited to direct security threats,” said Jakakimba in a statement.

Jakakimba had sought refuge in United Democratic Movement after ODM granted direct nomination to Moses Kajwang', brother to the late senator Otieno Kajwang’.

 “Under the circumstances, and after wide, painful consultations and deliberations with the Silas Jakakimba Command Team, Chair Wakili Edwin Sifuna and the Silas Jakakimba Secretariat, I wish to, with all humility and gratitude to my supporters from across the widths and breadths of the County, forthwith withdraw my candidature from the current contest,” said Jakakimba.

Jakakimba made the announcement on Thursday, a day when aspirants for the senatorial seat presented their nomination papers to Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

Among the aspirants who presented their papers are Moses Kajwang’, Innocent Masara, Philip Okundi.