Mumias East Member of Parliament Benjamin Washiali has announced his exit from politics.

Washiali who has served as MP for a period of 15 years, on Sunday, January 2 posted on social media that he would not be defending his seat.

In the statement, he revealed that he will take his time to campaign for Deputy President William Ruto who is eyeing the presidency.

The MP said that it was high time he gave local politics a break in order to deliver the presidency to Ruto.

“I will not be vying as a Member of Parliament Mumias East. I will dedicate all my energy and resources to the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party and the election of the 5th President William Samoei Ruto,” he said in the statement.

He also went ahead to thank all his constituents who have entrusted him with the position for the last 15 years.

The MP who is Ruto’s point man in the vast Western region was first elected to parliament in 2007 on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket.

In 2013 and 2017, Washiali was voted into parliament on a Jubilee ticket.

“It has been an honour serving the people of Mumias East, with gratitude I appreciate that you placed your hope and aspirations in me for the last 15 years. I have served diligently, and I am grateful for the development strides we have made. Therefore, come August I will not be running for office,” he said.

He went ahead to advise the constituents that they should ensure that they elect someone who is good and reachable to parliament.

“It is with much humility that I therefore once again ask you, people of Mumias East that come August, elect a leader who will not only better the best that we have achieved this far, but also be tenacious and zealous in their service delivery,” he said.

In 2021, Gatundu South Member of Parliament Moses Kuria also announced that he will not be defending his seat.