The decision was arrived at following a consultative meeting with Machakos County grassroots leaders at Ruto’s residence in Karen, Nairobi.
Ruto commended other leaders from the region for shelving their plans to instead support Ngengele.
“Grateful to witness the partnership forged by the Machakos Senate by-election hopefuls in favour of Urbanus Mutunga Muthama Ngengele, a hustler from the county.
“Our gratitude to them for their audacity and leadership to cede their aspirations and back Ngengele for the race,” noted Ruto.
The Deputy President urged other candidates to support Ngengele in the forthcoming by-elections.
Ruto, however, said that there is room for democracy for any of the candidates who would wish to still proceed as an independent candidate.
Following the unveiling by Ruto, the businessman is set to be given the UDA ticket before the end of the week at the UDA party headquarters.
Also in attendance at the meeting was former Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama.
The seat was left vacant after former Machakos Senator Boniface Mutinda Kabaka died on December 11, days after he was hospitalised after collapsing at a restaurant in Nairobi.
Senator Kabaka was on December 4 rushed from Dee3 Hotel in Kilimani to Nairobi Hospital, where he was placed under intensive care.
Ngengele is set to battle it out with Agnes Kavindu who will vie on Kalonzo Musyoka’s Wiper Democratic Movement ticket.
Source: KENYAGIST.COM
