COUNTY POLITICS: Running mates to tilt field in tight race for Laikipia gubernatorial seat

With the General Election only five months away, the battle for the Laikipia gubernatorial seat is already shaping up, with both veterans and newcomers declaring interest in the position. 

Those who have so far declared their intention to unseat Governor Joshua Irungu, include former Foreign Affairs PS Mwangi Thuita, former Laikipia West MP Ndiritu Muriithi, as well as businessman Mburu Kamau. Both Mr Mureithi and Mr Kamau lost to the incumbent in the 2013 General Election.

Others in the race include Laikipia Deputy Governor Gitonga Kabugi, former County Secretary John Mwaniki, Mr James Mathenge and Mr Mwangi Woodboy.

Being a cosmopolitan region, political analysts believe that two main factors will determine who will be elected to the position.

One is the choice of running mate and the other is the voting bloc.

This, the analysts believe, will grant them a head-start ahead of the primaries and eventually the General Election set for August 8.

Laikipia comprises five major ethnic groups, namely the Kikuyu, Samburu, Maasai, Kalenjin and Turkana. All the pastoralist groups account for 45 per cent of the registered voters in the county.

This probably explains why many aspirants are scrambling to woo them to their side by naming someone from those communities as a running mate.

FALLING OUT

The grapevine has it that Governor Irungu is mulling the possibility of either picking Ms Jane Ptunoi, the county executive in charge of Agriculture or Mr John Bosco Akaale, the CEC in charge of Youth and Sports, as his running mate, after falling out with Mr Kabugi.

Ms Ptunoi is from Samburu while Mr Akaale hails from Turkana.

The governor has, however, remained silent on the issue.

Differences between the two began only a few months after being elected into office.  Mr Kabugi accused his boss of sidelining him in decision-making and running the county as a “lone ranger”.

According to the 2013 Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission statistics, Laikipia West has the highest number of voters registered in the county: 83,267.

It is followed by Laikipia East Constituency with 62,844 while Laikipia North has 27,794. The numbers are, however, expected to increase, taking into account additional figures from the recently concluded mass voter registration. 

According to Mr Peter Ndagi, a political analyst from the region, any candidate who wins Laikipia West and gets the backing of either Laikipia East or Laikipia North will definitely become governor.

PARTY PRIMARY

However Mr Ndagi argues that the entry of Mr Thuita, Mr Mathenge and Mr Mureithi, who all come from Laikipia West, into the fray, could also divide the populous region’s votes during the Jubilee Party primaries to the advantage of other aspirants.

“Four candidates in this race hail from Laikipia West. The worry, therefore, is that they might divide the votes and hand over the seat to either the deputy governor or Mr Mwaniki, on a silver platter,” he notes.

In 2013, Laikipia West scooped the governor, senator, Woman Representative and the County Assembly Speaker posts, leaving only the deputy governor’s post to Laikipia East.

However, Mr James Saaya, an elder from the Samburu community argues that Laikipia East and North residents will most likely demand the Woman Representative and County Assembly Speaker positions, under negotiated democracy, for them to support a candidate from Laikipia West.

“Last time Laikipia West took all the seats but this time around, it will be negotiated democracy, given that the county is cosmopolitan,” said Mr Saaya.

A number of residents interviewed differ on what will determine the eventual winner of the gubernatorial race. While others believe that the race will depend on the political tactics employed by each candidate to woo voters to their side, others argue that one’s development record will play a major factor.

'ASPIRANT'S CAPABILITY'

“The next Laikipia county governor will be determined by the aspirant’s capability to address challenges facing the people of Laikipia,” noted Ms Catherine Wairimu, a Nyahururu town resident.

Mr Thuita is banking on his experience as a top civil servant, having served in various senior positions for more than 20 years.

Mr Muriithi, a nephew of retired President Mwai Kibaki, on the other hand, is expected to capitalise on his experience not only as a legislator, but also as Cabinet minister.

“I have great experience, having served in the Cabinet during President Mwai Kibaki’s regime. I have also served as Laikipia West MP. My development record speaks for itself.”

On the other hand, Mr Irungu is touting the development he has brought to the county for the five years he has been governor.

“My development record speaks for itself and am double sure that I will recapture the seat. I am also ready to face anyone in the race as I have the blessings of the electorate whom I have served with diligence,” he told the Nation.

Mr Mathenge banks on his nationwide and global links, having worked abroad for many years.

Mr Mwaniki, who was sacked last year by Mr Irungu for declaring interest to oust him, and Mr Kabugi – both critics of Mr Irungu’s administration – are banking on their commitments to fight graft in the county government.

On the other hand, Mr Mburu Kamau, who unsuccessfully contested for the seat in 2013, is banking on his financial muscle, his vast experience in politics and his capability to woo investors to the county.