Kirinyaga governor Ann Waiguru has chosen education county executive James Kinyua as her running mate.
The nomination, according to Waiguru, will help achieve gender and more importantly regional balance in senior roles.
Speaking in Wamumu, Waiguru expressed confidence in Kinyua’s ability to serve as deputy governor if they win the governor’s and deputy governor’s seats, respectively.
“Since I got my current governor (Peter Ndambiri) from Mwea East in the 2017 general election. I have this time found it suitable to get my August 2022 running mate from Mwea West,” she said.
Mutugi replaces Mwea East’s Peter Ndambiri, who is deputizing for Jubilee Party’s Charles Kibiru.
On his part, Mutugi expressed his gratitude for his appointment and pledged to continue being loyal to the governor and demonstrate servanthood and result-oriented leadership.
“I’m indeed humbled for picking me to serve as your running mate from among so many eligible candidates. Thank you for demonstrating your trust in me and I promise you that I will not let you down but will continue being humble and loyal to you,” he said.
Mutugi previously served as Wamumu ward MCA from 2013 to 2017, before being appointed county education CEC in 2017.
The County Deputy Governor Peter Ndambiri joined the race to unseat his boss, Waiguru, in the August election.
Under the Jubilee ticket, Ndambiri is set to run for governor. The DG, on the other hand, will have to compete with Senator Charles Kibiru, who is also running for the same seat under the ruling party, and incumbent woman representative Wangui Ngirici, who was set to run for the seat under the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), but ditched the party after being short-changed and will run as an independent candidate.
