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There is a growing sense of belief that the much hyped Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry election slated for June 8 could be a one-man affair for incumbent Richard Ngatia.
Ngatia who is the reigning President of KNCCI is expected to battle it out with his Vice President Erick Ruto but reports have emerged that the latter is considering quitting the race one week to election day.
This has been attributed to the one-sided support he enjoys from his Rift Valley backyard while the other regions seemingly have settled for Ngatia’s candidature.
While this could be an unexpected and shocking ending to what had emerged as a mouthwatering battle between the two, most players in the trade sector had already predicted a win for the incumbent Mr Ngatia.
Ngatia so far has been endorsed by delegates from Vihiga, Busia,Kakamega,Kisumu,Siaya,Homabay, Nyamira,Kisii,Coastal region,Kiambu,and larger Mt Kenya Region, Kajiado, Narok,Turkana,Machakos, Kitui,Makueni,and Nairobi counties respectively,totaling to more than 35 counties across the country.
On Thursday last week ,Dr Ruto received an endorsement from county and regional chairpersons from Rift Valley region alone,during a strategy meeting in Eldoret.
But reports have emerged that Ngatia receives 50% support in some parts of Rift Valley hence complicating even further the support Eric Ruto enjoys in his own backyard.
It has also been reported that Dr. Ruto made frantic efforts to reach out to Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi to seal support from Western chairpersons but Mudavadi declined to offer any support or direction saying that he did not want to interfere with Chambers elections.
County and regional elections were concluded in April, paving the way for the election of the chamber’s President and Vice President next month.
Observers say most of those who won the county and regional elections in Western, Central,Coast,Eastern,Nyanza,North Eastern,lower Eastern and Nairobi are inclined to Ngatia.
Ngatia enjoys more political goodwill than his friend-turned election rival whom they have worked together without much power battles.
There have also been reports that President William Ruto and his Deputy have no problem with a second reign for Ngatia.
Ngatia is a member of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) World Chambers Federation (WCF) General Council, the chairman International Conference on Great Lake Region-Private Sector Forum-ICGLR in Africa, deputy patron of Kenya National Federation of Jua Kali Association, board member of East Africa Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Agriculture and also Trustee PERAK.
Under Ngatia’s leadership, KNCCI was at the forefront of supporting businesses to recover from the economic setbacks during the covid-19 pandemic.
