Politics of ‘Upper Kiambu’ verses ‘Lower Kiambu’ could sink Babayao

The decision by five Kiambu gubernatorial aspirants led by Kabete lawmaker Ferdinand Waititu to team up against the incumbent, William Kabogo, has stirred the politics of regional balance ahead of the Jubilee Party primaries.

Since he took over the Kabete seat following the murder of George Muchai in February 2015, the streetwise politician has never hidden his desire to unseat Mr Kabogo, and pundits think the decision by the other four candidates to step down in his favour will boost his chances.

But even as they embark on marketing the coalition, the lineup, which also has a senator and woman representative aspirants, is facing criticism, with focus now shifting to the issue of regional balance.

Pundits opine that though the team may have formed a “force to reckon with”, it is at the same time destined for failure because its lineup is entirely made up of candidates hailing from upper Kiambu only.

Kiambu is divided into two imaginary areas: Upper Kiambu, which has Lari, Kikuyu, Kabete, Limuru, Kiambu Town, Kiambaa and Githunguri constituencies, and Lower Kiambu, which has Ruiru, Juja, Thika, Gatundu North and Gatundu South constituencies.

For instance, Mr Waititu, who since shifted his political base from Nairobi and is largely considered an outsider, has maintained that he has roots in Kabete, while his running mate Dr James Nyoro hails from the neighbouring Kikuyu constituency.

What Mr Waititu’s team may have failed to see is that lower Kiambu hosts nearly half of the total registered voters in the county despite the region having only five constituencies.

REPRESENTATION
Reverend Ezbon Ngaruiya, the co-ordinator of the Anglican Church Men Association, Mount Kenya South Diocese, said regional balance politics will definitely come to play in Jubilee primaries.

Rev Ngaruiya said if candidates from the lower region play their cards well, the matter of regional imbalance might make a lot of sense to the electorate.

“The talk on the balance, which is lacking in Waititu’s camp, will defiantly come up when candidates from the lower region go back to their homes,” said Rev Ngaruiya.

Presently, apart from Mr Kabogo, other candidates for the county seats from the lower side are Woman Rep Annah Nyokabi from Gatundu South and immediate former Kiambu County coordinator for the defunct National Alliance party Gladys Chania from Thika Town, and who is seeking to unseat Ms Nyokabi.

In the current leadership, the regions appear to be fairly represented with Mr Kabogo and Ms Nyokabi representing the lower region, while Senator Kimani Wamatangi who hails from Kibiku village in Kabete constituency and Mr Githinji representing the upper region.

Mr Kimani Wakimaa, a lawyer, said Mr Waititu’s coalition does not reflect does not face of the county.

He also echoed Revered Ngaruiya’s sentiments that this could work to their disadvantage, saying should Mr Kabogo choose to work with other candidates seeking county seats from different parts of the county, it could be a plus for him.