COUNTY POLITICS: Kimunya to face man who defeated him in 2013

When they first faced off during the 2013 General Election, their battle was equated to the biblical David and Goliath affair.

And as expected, it did not disappoint. The contest turned out to be a classical example when lawyer Samuel Gichigi floored the then Cabinet Minister Amos Kimunya.

Contesting on an Alliance Party of Kenya (APK) ticket, after feeling short-changed during the TNA nominations, few gave Mr Gichigi a chance to pull off a surprise.

But he confounded friends and foes alike by clinching the seat, garnering 18,972 votes against Mr Kimunya’s 16,689, to win the Kipipiri parliamentary seat in Nyandarua.

And as the August 8 General Election fast approaches, the echoes of the epic duel are already being relayed with the Jubilee Party primaries just around the corner.

The entry of the former Cabinet minister into the race has greatly changed the political landscape in the constituency, with Mr Kimunya’s supporters maintaining that the seat is his to lose.

Mr Kimunya, in his own words, “bowed to public pressure” and made a comeback to competitive politics.

The two are expected to go toe to toe in their vote hunting bid in the constituency that at one time frustrated retired President Daniel arap Moi’s quest to have a Kanu MP win the seat, a move that left a bitter taste in the ruling party’s stalwarts.

This was summed up by an interesting headline by the Taifa Leo newspaper: “Kanu yaonja pilipili Kipipiri (Kanu tastes pepper in Kipipiri)”.

ARTICULATE ISSUES

Now the two lock horns again with Mr Gichigi having grown in leaps and bounds to create a political niche in the region.

Vocal in the August House, the incumbent is known to articulate issues with finesse.

In September last year, Mr Gichigi earned rare plaudits from some members of the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NGCDF) for his prudent use of the government kitty.

The funds were used in the construction of 12 secondary schools. He also initiated other development projects including the building of the foremost technical training institute in the region.

The MP’s track record has also been boosted by the provision of piped water to the residents of the lower Kipipiri, a dry area that has villagers walking several kilometres in search of the vital commodity.

But his greatest asset remains his ability to freely mingle with the electorate.

Mr Gichigi occasionally rides on boda-bodas while on inspection tours in the area.

He has, however, been faulted for making promises that he rarely fulfils and seldom adheres to the timelines he sets out to undertake such projects.

But he now has Mr Kimunya, a former Finance minister, to contend with.

During the retired President Mwai Kibaki’s era, Mr Kimunya was handed the powerful Finance ministry, catapulting his social standing in the constituency.

He is well versed on many issues and landing a plum job in the government boosted his CV.

A trusted Cabinet minister, Mr Kimunya closeness with the former president was also rewarded with plum dockets including Trade and Lands.

MADE DIFFICULT

His popularity on the ground made it difficult for political opponents to dislodge him until the entry of his ally, turned political competitor Mr Gichigi.

While announcing his candidature at Manunga Catholic Hall in Kipipiri recently, Mr Kimunya vowed to recapture his seat on a Jubilee Party tick­et.

“My political detractors are spreading falsehoods that I am a PNU supporter and will use the party’s ticket to vie for the seat. This is not the case,” he said.

The constituents, Mr Kimunya stated had been pushing him to contest the Nyandarua gubernatorial seat but said he opted to vie for the parliamentary seat.

Residents, however, accuse him of being “aloof” and “unreachable” unlike the incumbent.

Mr Kimunya is also accused of going cold after losing his seat and seldom participated in matters affecting the Kipipiri people.

His greatest Achilles heels though remains a letter he purportedly wrote after losing his political seat accusing the electorate of being unappreciative of his good work.

But the two will have to contend with famous radio presenter Wanjiku Njuguna and perennial contender Njenga Kamau alias Masaa.

Mr Kamau needs no introduction having vied for the same seat four times unsuccessfully.

He is popular across the region but his main undoing has been his party of choice.

Ms Njuguna is well-known to her Kikuyu listeners and has a significant following. She however, has her work cut out for her as she tries to impress voters on a different platform while battling seasoned politicians.