COUNTY POLITICS: Battle of titans looms in Gilgil as four hopefuls seek to unseat MP

A bare-knuckled political battle is looming in Gilgil constituency, with four candidates having declared interest in unseating incumbent Mathenge Ndiritu.

Having been part of the vast Naivasha constituency, residents have for years felt neglected, with majority of the past lawmakers having their political base in Naivasha town and its environs.

In the list of candidates who have shown interest in the race is vocal nominated senator Martha Wangari.

Her entrance into the race has changed the matrix and she is now considered as one of the frontrunners.

Ms Wangari’s easygoing nature has endeared her to the electorate and she has showed dynamism in her quest for votes. Her supporters and those of Mr Ndiritu have been engaging in a battle of wits on social media.

At times, the debates get unsavoury with overzealous backers tearing into each other in a no-holds-barred manner, in what is expected to be witnessed on the campaign trail preceding the August 8 elections.

Despite her being the only woman aspirant in the race at the moment, the senator remains confident that she will clinch the parliamentary seat.

However, those against her quest to become an elected lawmaker perceive her as an “outsider”, who is yet to get her grip on the real political issues affecting “Gilgilians”, as the residents call themselves.

But Mr Ndiritu banks on his greatest weapon which is his untainted political credentials and what is deemed as the prudent use of the Constituency Development Fund.

A HALLMARK

Under his watch, infrastructural transformation in schools remains a hallmark and he is credited with building impressive structures even in the remotest parts of the constituency.

The education standards have also improved, with the MP also being hailed for using his own money to educate bright pupils in the constituency.

The MP’s development record appears to be impressive and even his detractors agree that he has improved education standards.

He appears to have convinced his supporters that he deserves a second term. His accessibility and attentiveness continue to decorate his CV and his political nemesis have these to contend with. However, his opponents poke holes in his political record, saying he has not been vocal in articulating issues in Parliament and on political platforms.

Others feel he has concentrated too much on education, neglecting other key aspects of development. He is also accused of having “discarded” his former political backers who ensured he had a smooth ride to Parliament.

But it is not a two-horse affair and both the incumbent and Ms Wangari have to contend with businessman Gabriel Wanderi, who lost narrowly to Mr Ndiritu in 2013.

His political promoters hold on to the view that his political base remains unshaken and they hope to cash in on the areas they did not win over to actualise Mr Wanderi’s political dream.

ENGAGE SUPPORTERS 

He, too, has continued to engage his supporters on social media, maintaining that what Gilgil needs is change. His slogan a “self-motivated leader” is doing rounds in the social circles and he has proved to be digitally astute. He has chosen to conduct a quiet campaign.

Educationist Gichuki Kenda is also not letting go and has been crisscrossing the area hunting for votes.

Having shaped the careers of many, the respected education expert and a former high school principal believes he has what it takes to upset the political equation and pull a fast one on the perceived frontrunners.

Mr Kenda is banking on his former students to make a mark in the polls, hoping that his rural appeal will shore up the numbers.

Known to shoot from the hip, political aspirant Moses Getonga is also in the race. Popularly referred to as Mtetezi (defender), the no-nonsense human rights activist is admired by many.

Mr Getonga is known to speak his mind and take on his opponents in public political duels.

His penchant for transparency has earned him the name mtetezi wa wanyonge (defender of the weak) and he takes head on those whom he believes are trampling on the rights of the less fortunate.

A perpetual contender, he has not been able to upset the equation and it remains to been seen whether he will spring a surprise this time around.