COUNTY POLITICS: 11 seek to eject veteran GG Kariuki from Senate
Laikipia Senator GG Kariuki addresses attendees of the International Anti-Corruption Day at Central Park in Nanyuki town on December 9, 2015. Mr Kariuki insists he still has the energy to represent the region effectively. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The region is considered a Jubilee zone and whoever clinches the ticket would be in a better position to enter the Senate.
- Mr Kiunjuri has also denied claims that he is grooming particular candidates to vie for different seats in the county.
Laikipia Senate seat promises to be one of the hotly contested positions in the county as 11 aspirants seek to oust veteran politician GG Kariuki.
At 78, Mr Kariuki is currently the oldest senator.
The defection of former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga to Kanu has left 10 aspirants seeking the Jubilee Party ticket.
The region is considered a Jubilee zone and whoever clinches the ticket would be in a better position to enter the Senate.
The battle for the Jubilee ticket appears to narrow down to Mr Simon Mithamo, a businessman and long-time Jubilee campaigner, a former Matara councillor Mr John Kinyua and Mr Kariuki.
Others are James Githiri, Rev Weston Gitonga, former Laikipia Assistant Assembly Clerk Samuel Kabucwa, former Finance Chief Officer Henry Kimani, Gathuo Gichuru, real estate investor Douglas Kiguru and Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers Laikipia branch Executive Secretary Ndung’u Wangenye.
TIME TO RETIRE
Residents argue that the incumbent’s advanced age could affect his re-election chances.
“We cannot deny that the senator commands respect from all quarters, but his advanced aged could be a major disadvantage,” says Mr Lukas Wanjau from Ngobit Ward.
“He recently attended a political meeting at our village and he could hardly walk and stand for long,” he adds.
“I think it is a high time that the senator hands over the mantle to someone else.”
Mr Kariuki, who has served under the country’s four presidents, however insists he still has the energy to represent the region effectively.
“There are a lot of people discrediting me because of my age,” he says.
“That does not bother me an inch. It is my experience in politics that counts and not my age. I might be looking old and frail but the elephant is still there and standing strong,” adds the senator.
“I, therefore, want to tell those calling for my retirement that it is the people of Laikipia who gave me the mandate to represent them in the Senate. It is only them who will tell me when not to seek a re-election,” he added.
STEPPING DOWN
The senator says he will give the people of Laikipia time to look for a suitable replacement ‘when the right time comes’.
Mr Wangenye and Mr Kinyua, on the other hand, joined the contest just a few days after Mr Njenga’s nomination papers were rejected early last month on integrity grounds.
Mr Kinyua vied for the Laikipia senatorial seat in 2013 on a Grand National Union (GNU) party ticket and emerged second after garnering 23,487 votes against Senator Kariuki’s 96,580 votes.
It has been claimed that Mr Wangenye was recently approached by a group of individuals said to be close to Devolution CS Mwangi Kiunjuri to pull out of the race in favour of Mr Kinyua.
Mr Wangenye has however maintained that he will be on the ballot.
“There are rumours going round that I will step down for some individuals. I have paid the Jubilee nomination fees and I can tell you categorically that I will be on the ballot,” he told the Nation in an interview.
COME FACE ME
Mr Kiunjuri has also denied claims that he is grooming particular candidates to vie for different seats in the county.
He has further warned aspirants against using his name while conducting their campaigns.
Mr Kimani says he was the best suited candidate for the seat owing to his vast experience in leadership.
“It is under my tenure as the Finance Chief Officer that the county was awarded five top trophies in terms of revenue collection and tax payment by the national government. Therefore, I believe I am better suited for the seat,” he told the Nation.
Even as the Jubilee aspirants are battling hard to clinch the party’s nomination, Mr Njenga says he is ready for whoever will be chosen.
“Let them come after they are done with the party primaries. I will be here waiting for whoever will emerge the winner. Let them be prepared for a tough battle and come August 8, I will sure win,” said Mr Njenga.
The incumbent, Mr Njenga, Mr Kinyua, Mr Wangenye, Mr Kimani, Mr Kabucwa, Mr Gichuru and Rev Gitonga are from the populous Laikipia West constituency.
While Mr Mithamo, Mr Githiri and Mr Kiguru are from Laikipia East constituency. No candidate from Laikipia North has declared an interest in the seat.
