Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu will not defend her seat in the upcoming August 9 General Election.

Ngilu’s decision to drop out of the gubernatorial race was made public by Azimio la Umoja Presidential Candidate Raila Amollo Odinga during his tour in Kitui County on Wednesday, June 15.

Making the announcement, Raila noted that Ngilu would instead place her efforts in his national presidential bid – promising to give her an appointive position if they form the government. “You will decide between former Governor Julius Malombe and former Senator David Musila who will be your governor. I want to take mama to Nairobi,” Raila stated.

The first-time governor has been facing competition from Wiper candidate Julius Malombe who trounced Kilonzo Kiema during party primaries.

She was also facing competition from former Senator David Musila who had announced his gubernatorial bid on a Jubilee Party ticket.

Ngilu and Musila had earlier met before Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka returned to Azimio. The duo discussed who would drop their bid in support of another to clinch the Kitui gubernatorial race.

“We are both candidates of Azimio and we must continuously engage. We are not enemies at all,” Ngilu stated.

“Wiper has disengaged from Azimio and the party together with UDA are our competitors now,” she added.

The Fielding of two candidates affiliated with Azimio la Umoja had caused jitters in the camp which has been pushing to consolidate Eastern votes.

United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has fronted former Nairobi Deputy Governor Jonathan Mueke to battle it out with Azimio candidates for Kitui’s top seat.

Ngilu becomes the second high-ranking politician to take a break from elective politics – after Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki made a similar announcement after losing the race to deputize UDA presidential candidate William Ruto.