COUNTY POLITICS: Winds of change blow leaders away in Kirinyaga

Kirinyaga gubernatorial aspirant Anne Waiguru follow proceedings during a review of vote tallying at Kianyaga polling station in Kirinyaga on April 25, 2017. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The residents braved heavy rains and formed long queues, as if they were participating in a General Election, and nominated newcomers in politics.
  • Also rejected during the nominations was the County Governor Joseph Ndathi who faced former Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru, among other contenders.
  • In Mwea, Mr Gitau who has served two terms in Parliament was defeated by a little known computer scientist, Mr Kabinga Wathayu, with a wide margin.

Political heavy weights from Kirinyaga County were handed resounding defeats in the Jubilee nominations, which were marked by chaos and confusion.

All the senior politicians, save for senator Daniel Karaba were knocked out and promptly conceded defeat.

In what was seen as a determination to bring leadership change in the region, the residents turned out in large numbers and voted against all the five members of Parliament, Peter Gitau (Mwea), Stephen Ngare (Ndia),  Njogu Barua (Gichugu) and Gachoki Gitari (Kirinyaga Central) as well as Woman Representative Winnie Njuguna.

The residents braved heavy rains and formed long queues, as if they were participating in a General Election, and nominated newcomers in politics.

Also rejected during the nominations was the County Governor Joseph Ndathi who faced former Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru, among other contenders.

NOMINATIONS RIGGED

Mr Ndathi conceded defeat even before the results of the nominations were announced but claimed that the nominations were rigged in favour of Ms Waiguru.

He also claimed that the nominations were marked by massive irregularities which spoiled for him.

“In my strongholds, there were few ballot papers while the exercise kicked off late. One of the aspirants also planted her relatives to rig for my rival, Ms Waiguru,” said Mr Ndathi.

In Mwea, Mr Gitau who has served two terms in Parliament was defeated by a little known computer scientist, Mr Kabinga Wathayu, with a wide margin.

Mr Wathayu polled 33,396 votes against Gitau’s 12,505.

LUCKY MAN

Mr Barua was trounced by lawyer Githinji Gichimu while Mr Ngare was defeated by a Nairobi-based businessman George Kariuki.

Mr Gitari, who bowed out of the parliamentary race, was defeated by Ms Waiguru in gubernatorial nominations.

Ms Njuguna was floored by the influential businesswoman Wangui Ngirici who polled a record 124,763 votes. Ms Njuguna got 18,193 votes.

Mr Karaba, the county senator was the only one who survived and described himself a very lucky man.

“I was lucky to be nominated. I want to thank the residents for giving me another chance to serve them again,” he said.