Three Laikipia gubernatorial aspirants have stepped out of the race and will now back former assistant minister Ndiritu Muriithi.
The three, Thuita Mwangi, James Mathenge and James Mwangi who had indicated they would run as independent candidates made the announcement in Nanyuki town after intense negotiations that went late into the night on Yesterday.
Muriithi who is vying as an independent candidate will now face Jubilee nominee who is also the incumbent Joshua Irungu.
The deal for the three to abandon the race was brokered by Simon Mithamo who also contested for the Jubilee senatorial ticket during the primaries but lost to John Kinyua.
Mwangi a former foreign affairs PS came third during the primaries where Irungu emerged the winner with 40,983 against Ndiritu’s 30,586 while Mathenge, a former senior official at World Vision came fourth.
It is not yet clear if Ndiritu will retain John Mwaniki as running mate but sources indicated that the seat is subject of further negotiations.
But Mwaniki who was invited to pass a vote of thanks after the brief prayer meeting told the gathering at Central Park that Miriithi’s team was intact, an indication that he is likely to be retained.
Speculations have been rife that the three candidates had been promised positions in the County Government should Ndiritu be elected the next governor but it was not possible to confirm with those who attended the Wednesday night meeting remaining tight-lipped on details of the negotiations.
