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Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja has settled on Absa Bank Kenya Ltd Chief Operating Officer James Njoroge Muchiri as his running mate in the capital’s gubernatorial race.

James Muchiri takes the running mate position after losing in the recently concluded UDA primaries where he was gunning for the Nyandarua gubernatorial seat on a UDA ticket.

Sakaja exudes confidence in his deputy

Sakaja has expressed confidence in Muchiri terming him a man of the people who is the best fit for Nairobi.

“He is willingly coming to serve the people and that is what Nairobians need in a servant. We will run the city of Nairobi professionally,” Sakaja told a local publication.

Sakaja’s announcement comes hours after Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) granted gubernatorial aspirants a two-week extension to name their running mates.

Sakaja to face Igathe

Sakaja seems to be gearing up for a serious campaign in a bid to beat his major challenger Polycarp Igathe in the upcoming polls. He recently launched a campaign song which he is expected to use in drumming up support for his candidature.

And the beat goes on 🎶 #LetsMakeNairobiWork pic.twitter.com/6DfTVilbS9

— Sakaja A. Johnson (@SakajaJohnson) April 20, 2022

The electoral body had earlier compelled gubernatorial aspirants to name their deputies by Thursday, April 28.

Muchiri’s unveiling also comes days after the Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya coalition party camp, headed by its flagbearer Raila Odinga named its line-up in the Nairobi race.

Former Equity Group Holdings chief operating officer Polycarp Igathe was named the formation’s flagbearer with former Kibwezi MP Philip Kaloki as his deputy.