Nyeri county’s former first lady Margaret Karungaru Gachagua who had expressed interest to vie for the Nyeri Woman Representative’s seat on UDA ticket has ditched the party citing fear of lack of free and fair nominations.

Karungaru who is the widow to the first governor of Nyeri, Nderitu Gachagua, and sister in law to Mathira Member of Parliament Rigathi Gachagua said she will now run as an independent candidate but still support the Deputy President’s presidential bid.

“Our deputy president is so far up, he can wish for things to be free and fair but we know wishes and sometimes what happens on the ground are different things. Am I willing to take that risk? My answer is no,” she said.

She wished she ran on her late husband’s party.

“My husband was elected as a governor on a GNU party ticket which was a small party. If he was still here, I would use the party to vie but now I choose to go independent.” Mrs Gachagua added.