Former Speaker Kenneth Marende mulls joining Nairobi governor race

Former Speaker Kenneth Marende

Former National Assembly Speaker Kenneth Marende is the latest politician to declare interest in the Nairobi gubernatorial seat.

Mr Marende Sunday said he is "considering" joining the already crowded race to unseat Governor Evans Kidero.

He made the announcement in Nairobi during a church service, which was also attended by Dr Kidero and Dagoretti South MP Dennis Waweru, who is also eyeing the position.

"... nitafanya kazi na Wakenya wote wa Nairobi. Na Mungu akubali hayo (I will work with all Kenyans in Nairobi and may God accept that," he said.

Marende's declaration followed that of businesswoman Esther Passaris, who also expressed interest in the seat.

Starehe MP Maina Kamanda urged Marende to join other Jubilee aspirants in seeking the party's ticket.

Water Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa's endorsement was revisited by some of the Jubilee politicians.

MPs Kamanda, Waweru, Moses Kuria (Gatundu South), Kimani Ichung'wa (Kikuyu) and Rachel Shebesh (Nairobi) said it will be upon Nairobi residents to decide who will take the mantle.

They said it was wrong for some people to hold a boardroom meeting and pick a candidate for the people of Nairobi.

The Jubilee leaders said that President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy William Ruto's decision that the party's nomination would be handled by IEBC was an assurance that the primaries would be free and fair.

"It will be for the people to decide... we also don't want people to be imposed on the Nairobi people," said Kamanda.

And Kuria said: "It is the people of Nairobi to elect their leaders. It is wrong to endorse people, it is also equally wrong to block people from coming to Nairobi."

Some of those seeking the Jubilee ticket include Nairobi Senator Mike Mbuvi, former Starehe MP Margaret Wanjiru, nominated MP Johnstone Sakaja, Wamalwa and Waweru.