Machakos gubernatorial aspirant Nzioka Waita has maintained that he is still in the race to be Machakos' next governor, vehemently denying that he has dropped out in favour of Wiper’s Wavinya Ndeti.

In a statement shared on his social media account, the former head of the Presidential Delivery Unit reacted to an announcement that was making rounds online that alleged that he had dropped his bid for the Wiper Candidate in accordance with a supposed agreement by Azimio One Kenya principals at the Mukuru Kwa Njenga rally in Nairobi on Thursday, June 2.

"My competitors think that they will win this election through cheap propaganda!It’s so obvious where the fake “stepping down letter” originated, the many spelling errors are consistent with their dubious academic background. WE ARE IN THIS RACE TO WIN IT. WAJIPANGE," he declared.

The statement that was shared bore Waita's Chama Cha Uzalendo party logo and stated that he was in agreement to withdrawing from the race.

"Following the selection of Wavinya Ndeti as the Azimio Candidate in Machakos and the subsequent confirmation by the Azimio principals in Mukuru Kwa Njenga yesterday,  I write to respectfully withdraw from the Machakos gubernatorial race and support my sister Wavinya Ndeti as governor candidate Machakos County. I am grateful for the huge support I enjoyed at my stay in Azimio. I remain eternally appreciative," the announcement read.

During the rally, the Azimio camp threw their weight behind Wavinya's candidacy , seen as part of the welcome of Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka's return into the fold.  This, however, has not detered Waita in his quest for the seat, as he has vowed to forge in his party  to take over from the incumbent Alfred Mutua.

Sources close to Waita have opine that he is destined for the position, with the claims that opinion polls from the county have put him ahead in the race.

"Nzioka is the next governor of Machakos because this is the people's wish. He is coming to restore the county’s lost glory,” his spokesperson Caleb Muteti stated.