‘Battle of billionaires’ shapes up in Nyeri as aspirants open campaign war chests

The Nyeri senatorial race is shaping up to be a battle of billionaires, with the entrance of a road contractor and chairman of National Oil Corporation of Kenya Daniel Wamahiu.

He is set to fight it out with fellow tycoon and former Mathira MP Ephraim Maina and businessman Wambugu Nyamu among others, for the coveted Jubilee Party ticket.

Another candidate is Newton Muraya of Maendeleo Chap Chap party.

The aspirants are seeking to succeed Senator Mutahi Kagwe, who has set his sights on the county governorship’s position.

The battle will be centred in the backyard of each candidate, considering that some constituencies have a history of voting as a bloc.

According to the new voters’ register, Nyeri has 461,559 voters, with Tetu having 50,919, Kieni 109,412, Mathira 101,616, Othaya 59,477, Mukurweini 54,612 while Nyeri Town has 85,523 voters.

Mr Maina hails from Mathira Constituency, but lives in Kieni, while Mr Nyamu and Wamahiu are from Othaya Constituency, but live in Nyeri town. Mr Muraya is also from Mathira.

But much attention has been directed towards Mr Wamahiu, who is said to be a close friend of President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The Nyeri Golf Club chairman hosted the President and senior government officials, including National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi for a party after the elections and a house warming party last year.

He was the TNA pointman in Nyeri County.

NOT A THREAT
He is running silent campaigns and declared his candidature by erecting billboards in every township in the county.

Mr Wamahiu has put up close to 30 billboards that proclaim he is Nyeri’s “new voice” and that he is keen on taking Nyeri “back to its position”.

Each of the billboards costs Sh150,000 for a seven-month period.

Efforts by the Nation to reach him to share his policy and vision were futile as he never responded to numerous phone calls and messages. 

“Mr Wamahiu is known by few and the most rich. His candidature is somewhat intimidating because of the closeness to the State. I am not sure if he is serious with politics or he just wants a parastatal job,” said woman representative aspirant Mukami Wachira.

Some think he is also being fronted by the late Governor Nderitu Gachua’s strategists so as to deny his rival Mr Maina the seat.  

For his part, Mr Nyamu dismissed Mr Wamahiu’s candidature as inconsequential, alleging that he wants nomination by the Jubilee Party in the next parliament.

“I don’t fear Wamahiu and I cannot consider him as a challenge to my bid. I'm only strategising against Mr Maina, as he is the only person I consider a worthy competitor,” said Mr Nyamu.

“He has no impact on Nyeri politics. Multiple billboards mean nothing because real voters are at the grassroots and they judge according to policies,” added Mr Nyamu.

The businessman said his vision is to improve the economic status of the county by empowering farmers and pushing for policies that will help farmers get good returns.

QUALITY LEADERS
He, however, expressed doubt on the late entrance of Mr Wamahiu, saying there was a possibility of him influencing the Jubilee Party nominations.

Mr Muraya has pledged to lobby for the establishment of a vehicle and motorbike assembly plant in a bid to create job opportunities in the county.

Mr Muraya, who is a Ruiru-based industrialist, said he would also push the county government to put up cold rooms for agricultural produce.

He also pledged to work on transferring technology from developed nations to empower local youth.

The 53-year-old is the founder and director of Patnet Steelmakers Manufacturers Ltd that produces nails, iron sheets and other steel products.

Tetu MP aspirant Martin Luther Githigara Wachira observes that the senatorial campaigns in the county will be a show of might between Mr Maina and Mr Wamahiu.

“The two are moneyed and they will flex their financial muscles. Money will be poured,” said Mr Wachira.

A local, Mr Duncan Mathenge, observed that the senatorial candidate who can convince residents that he will ensure prudent use of county funds will carry the day.

“Residents are now enlightened on the role of the senator. They want a senator who will be present and actively participate in formulation of budget and approval. The incumbent failed by siding with the governor and seeing no evil in management of county resources,” said Mr Mathenge, a dentist and an aspiring politician. 

Among the aspirants, he observed, Mr Maina has a major shortcoming for having a personal vendetta against the former governor, Gachagua, who was also from Mathira. 

“He plays combative politics and the personal vendetta he had against Gachagua can cost him. The two issues will prevent him from being an effective senator,” noted Mr Mathenge. 

VOTER NUMBERS
He added: “For Nyamu, the disadvantage is that he is active at pointing out faults in county government but does not suggest solutions.

“Mr Wamahiu is not active in Nyeri and is yet to engage the residents. He is, however, a go-getter in business and am not sure he can make a good leader,” observed Mr Mathenge. 

Nyeri Town MP Esther Murugi says Mr Maina has the upper hand in the race, given that he is not a first timer like his competitors, and has been able to keep his followers intact since 2013. 

She also noted that the candidate who will carry the day will be the one who will convince voters that he will not side with the governor or county assembly. 

“Development in the county is driven by the county government and therefore the voters want a senator who will not be coerced.

“The county also needs a senator who can bring other elected leaders together,” said Ms Murugi. 

She declined to discuss the chances of the other candidates, saying she was still analysing each of them and their manifestos. 

She, however, stated that a candidate from Mathira or Kieni constituencies will have an added advantage because of high number of voters.