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Former Murang’a governor Mwangi Wa Iria has said that he will be in the presidential race come the 2027 General Election.

Wa Iria insists he has not given up his bid to become the head of state and that he will be running for president in 2027.

Addressing the media in Murang’a, the former governor said he was deliberately locked out of the race in the August 9, 2022, General Election.

He said he is laying down his strategies to go the grassroots and seek the numbers he requires for the presidential bid.

Wa Iria noted that he intends to get at least 15 million signatures from people all over the country, pointing out that last time his papers were rejected on allegations that he did not have the numbers.

“In the August poll, the IEBC rejected my papers on claims that I had less than 2,000 supporters which was a lie,” he said.

“In 2027 I will have over 15 million signatures of people who will be supporting my bid,” he added.

Wa Iria said he will be using the Usawa Kwa Wote party as his political vehicle, adding that he will go alone into the race.

He also sought to disassociate himself from the Azimio coalition saying he was never a party to it.

“I was never a member of Azimio because I have my own party which I will use to drive my political agenda,” he said.

He disclosed that some people have been attacking him claiming he is an affiliate of Azimio and thus he has no right to speak out on matters affecting the public.

“There are some leaders pinning me down to the coalition in order to taint my name in the public,” he remarked.

“Mtu mwingine atasema mimi ni wa Azimio ataona kivumbi kutoka kwangu,” he added.

Not competing with Ruto

Wa Iria however said that he is not putting up a fight against president William Ruto, adding that he will support him for the term he will be in office.

“Ruto is my friend and I will support his government during his tenure,” he said.

He also said he will not fail to speak out on the issues affecting the people, especially from the Mt Kenya region.

He claimed that the leaders in the region have developed cold feet but he won’t be like them.