Johnson Muthama loses as former wife wins Machakos seat

Former Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

Former Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama lost his governorship bid as his former wife Agnes Kavindu beat all the odds to retain her senatorial seat.

Muthama came third in the election won by Wavinya Ndeti. Former State House Chief of Staff Nzioka Waita came second.

Results announced by county returning officer Nelly Ilongo show that Muthama garnered 37,980 votes against Wavinya's 226,609 and Waita's 129,181.

Wavinya has extended an olive branch to her opponents, urging them to join her in re-uniting the people of Machakos and working towards the county's prosperity.

During campaigns, a chest-thumping Muthama had warned his opponents to brace themselves for a bruising political battle.

However, the UDA chairman has been left with egg on his face after being defeated by persons he considered his juniors politics.

While Waita has conceded defeat and congratulated Wavinya on her election, Muthama has remained tight-lipped.

The re-election of Muthama's estranged wife Kavindu has left him in an awkward position.

Kavindu, who flew the Wiper party ticket in the Senate race, garnered 155,883 votes against her closest competitor, city businessman Urbanus Ngengele, who garnered 65,603 votes.

In his Matungulu constituency backyard, voters rejected Muthama's preferred choice and elected Wiper candidates.