Speaking during an interview on NTV’s Wicked Edition on Friday, August 19, the billionaire expressed that he had confidence in winning against the incumbent- governor Mutahi Kahiga who was vying on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party ticket.
However, Mathenge alleged that last-minute campaigns against his candidature by Ruto and Deputy President-elect Rigathi Gachagua convinced the residents to vote for Kahiga.
The entrepreneur with businesses ranging in the hospitality and manufacturing industry added that the race was tight and could be perceived as a presidential rather than a gubernatorial race.
“Even on the eve of the election, people were saying I was going to win but there came this disease known as ‘yellow fever’. It was very strong and it knocked down people in our place including me. People went to look for yellow and wheelbarrows instead of Thuo Mathenge on the ballot.
“My competition was not with Kahiga but with Ruto and Gachagua. It was like I was vying for the presidency because they did not want to have any other governor than UDA’s,” he stated.
Nonetheless, he stated that he had no hard feelings towards Ruto despite campaigning against him. Mathenge added that he would take the next five years to strategise on his presidential campaign for the 2027 elections.
Mathenge lost to Kahiga who garnered 213,373 votes. The business tycoon came in second at 81,467 votes having vied on The New Democrats (TND) party ticket.
This was his third stab at the gubernatorial seat having contested in 2013 and 2017.
Additionally, the businessman called on Ruto to reach out to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to work together for the good of the country.
“I am asking Raila and Ruto to seat down over a cup of coffee and think about Kenyans and not the presidency.
“Kenyans cannot even afford a repeat election. We spent billions of shillings on the 2022 General Election,” he stated.
Source: kENYANS.CO.KE
