Both Kethi Kilonzo and her mother Nduku had looked set to run for the seat of the former minister of education, but following Kethi’s withdrawal from the race her mother has now also stood down and backed her daughter for the seat.
Kethi had used her Twitter account to declare:
A child does not compete with the mother. It is a curse. I will not support Jubilee. To stand with my father's enemies is a worse curse.
— Kethi D. Kilonzo (@finclegal) June 11, 2013
Today is a dark day. May the people of Makueni and all who have stood with me one day find it in their hearts to forgive me.
— Kethi D. Kilonzo (@finclegal) June 11, 2013
The decision has become a trending topic on Twitter in Kenya, with users expressing varying views.
Esther Passaris, a former candidate for the post of Nairobi Women Representative, tweeted: “I would like to express my admiration and respect for Kethi Kilonzo. This young lady announced that she has dropped.”
Other Twitter users had their own opinions on what will happen if Kethi Kilonzo now decides to reverse her decision, contests the seat and wins.
If #KethiKilonzo runs for Makueni senatorial seat and wins; she is the next big thing in Ukambani #Ngilu knows that too well
— Ryan(@MashRyan) June 12, 2013
Walter Mutie pointed out that order within a campaign increases the chances of performing well.
@kethikilonzo Disorder is costly, you can learn order, becoz the purpose of order isto increase productivity. I speak order in ur lyf
— walter Mutie (@lo_debaroutreac) June 12, 2013
Another Twitter user, @10_debaroutreac, tweeted: “what next after your mother decided to step down? Are you going to change your thoughts or you stand by your words?”
Kethi yesterday responded to most Tweets on her handle saying: “One of the tests of leadership is the ABILITY to recognize a problem before it becomes an EMERGENCY. I love my family MORE. Thank you.”