Blow to Maliti as deputy quits, joins rival camp

Speaking Sunday at Mvondoni Catholic Church in Kangundo, Rose said their campaign was weighed down by the baggage of poor leadership in the county government as well as realising their ticket had become a hard sell.

Maliti is seeking Machakos County’s top seat on a Maendeleo Chap Chap party ticket, while Waita is running under the Chama Cha Uzalendo (CCU).

Rose has also said she has chosen Waita's camp after introspection on the kind of leadership she wants for the county.

On his part, Waita has said the decision by Rose to join their camp has reinforced their chances of winning the governorship while promising her a CEC position in his potential government.

Waita has called on his competitors to stick to issues affecting the county rather than political supremacy battles while at the same time exuding confidence in the team of leaders he has assembled.

The Machakos governorship race is shaping into a battle of political heavyweights in the county and beyond.

On top of Waita and Ndeti, it has also attracted United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Chairman Johnson Muthama and former Transport Chief Administrative Secretary Wavinya Ndeti (Wiper).