Kenneth Marende joins Nairobi governor race

 
Former National Assembly Speaker Kenneth Marende. He on November 3, 2016 declared that he would run for the Nairobi governorship. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Former National Assembly speaker Kenneth Marende has confirmed that he will run for the Nairobi governor's seat in 2017.

This follows weeks of speculation that the former Emuhaya MP would be seeking to dislodge Governor Evans Kidero from the seat.

Mr Marende now joins a long list of aspirants seeking the powerful city county seat.

He told Nation.co.ke on Thursday morning that he was the best suited to lead the people of Kenya's capital.

“I have interest and am angling for the Nairobi gubernatorial seat,” he said.

POLITICAL PARTY

However, Mr Marende did not disclose the political party on whose ticket he will vie for the seat.

Other aspirants seeking the position are Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko, Dagoretti South MP Dennis Waweru, former Starehe MP Margaret Wanjiru and nominated MP Johnson Sakaja.

Others are Water Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, lawyer Miguna Miguna, businessman Harun Mwau and Adopt-A-Light Chief Executive Officer Esther Passaris, among others.

Mr Marende's declaration comes a day after Narc-Kenya leader Martha Karua revealed that she will gun for the Kirinyaga governorship.