One of the aspirants for the Juja by-election George Koimburi said his life is in danger after ditching Jubilee party for the People’s Empowerment Party (PEP).
Koimburi, one of the strong aspirants, claimed he has been receiving threatening calls from anonymous phone numbers and that he believes some people have been contracted to monitor his every move.
Addressing the press in Ruiru town today, he alleged some people were tracking him down since Sunday when he defected from Jubilee. He called on the government to provide him with security to quell the fears.
“All I’m requesting is the government to provide me with security because I believe my life is in danger. Some strange people have been following me since I defected on Sunday,” Koimburi said.
He said he decided to defect to Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria’s PEP since he stood a better chance to replace former Juja MP Francis Munyua Waititu (Wakapee) who succumbed to brain cancer last month.
The aspirant told his supporters that by joining PEP, he still regards the President and his government highly.
“I defected because I stand a better chance in PEP. My defection should not be seen as bringing war between the government and the tangatanga brigade. I still respect the President and his government, “he said.
Koimburi came second in the 2017 Juja Constituency election and is among the more than 15 aspirants eying the seat in the May 18 by-elections.
The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) associated with the Deputy President William Ruto pulled out of the race.
He was set to face off with the former MP’s widow Susan Njeri Waititu in the Jubilee Party nominations before his defection.
Koimburi accused top Jubilee officials and some Kiambu politicians of pushing him out of the party through intimidation.
“This forced me to decamp from Jubilee after realising that the leadership was favouring Mrs Waititu in the nominations,” he said.
Mrs Waititu is now left to face off with at least three other aspirants for the Jubilee party primaries scheduled to take place this Saturday.
Other contestants eyeing the Jubilee ticket include Naftaly Rugara Muiga, a lecturer at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), former Kiambu Education CEC Joseph Ng’ang’a and businessman Anthony Kirori.
Others are independent aspirants among them a medical doctor Joseph Gichui, Zack Nderitu and James Marungo, a local businessman.
Former Juja constituency chairman Ken Gachuma, Moses Mwenda and Eunice Wanjiru Wamugo had been cleared to face off at the UDA nominations before it decided not to field candidates.
by Muoki Charles
