Governor Kimemia blames Raila for withdrawing from presidential race

Cabinet secretary Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs Sicily Kariuki during Nyandarua leaders meeting in Nairobi

NAIROBI,KENYA: President Uhuru Kenyatta is on course to be re-elected next week, residents and leaders of Nyandarua have said.

Speaking during a strategy meeting at a Nairobi hotel over the weekend, elected leaders from the County said all signs point to a major victory for the Head of State.

"We are glad to have been joined by sons and daughters of Nyandarua living and working in this city, and other well-wishers for the President, to plan for the next few days," said Governor Francis  Kimemia.

On opposition leader Raila Odinga's decision to abandon the upcoming poll, the Governor said President Kenyatta's path to power is now smoother.

"I don't see Odinga standing again. Whoever advised him to take that step has made him stray because it is suicidal," he said.

He added: "It would have been better if he had kept on campaigning and see results he would have gotten next week," he said.

Legislators from Nyandarua expressed their frustration with how the former Prime Minister's team has disrupted businesses and national stability through public protests.

Kipipiri Member of Parliament Hon. Amos Kimunya (Jubilee) said the opposition had already approached the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) with a referendum question to split Kenya into two.

"We are aware that Homa Bay Town legislator Hon.  Peter Kaluma (ODM) is seeking a referendum to split our nation into the Democratic Republic of Kenya and the Central Kenya Republic. This is unacceptable," he said.

The Cabinet Secretary in charge of Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs Hon. Sicily Kariuki said Nyandarua leaders had surprised her in their unity.

"Unlike in the past, all elected leaders in Nyandarua have united for the benefit of the people we serve. Let us ensure we re-elect President Uhuru once more," she said.