COUNTY POLITICS: Catchy slogans Nakuru aspirants are using in search of votes
Nakuru Governor Kinuthia Mbugua introduces County Assembly Speaker Susan Kihika at a funeral in Elementaita on July 12, 2016. To secure votes, Governor Mbugua uses KM, the initials of his name, and Ms Kihika uses the slogan “Mama na Kazi”. PHOTO | SULEIMAN MBATIAH | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Anne Njeri Karigu is using the slogan Karigu Keru – Kikuyu for ripe banana – to attract voters as a sharp and beautiful aspirant.
- The entry of youthful aspirants in the race, according to pundits, might change the political matrix in the region.
Aspirants of various political seats in Nakuru County are leaving nothing to chance in their quest to win the hearts of voters in the forthcoming General Election.
In what is emerging as a battle of wits, character, beauty and money, aspirants have coined slogans to help capture the attention of the cosmopolitan county’s largely youthful and urban electorate.
“Bingwa wa Maendeleo”, “Mutumia Ngatha”, “Mama na Kazi”, “Team Manager (TM)”, “Jibu ni Lee” are some of the catchy slogans being used by various hopefuls.
The incumbent Woman Representative Mary Mbugua, for instance, used the Kikuyu slogan “Mutumia Ngatha”, which is translated as virtuous or diligent woman, to capture votes in the 2013 General Election.
RIPE BANANA
It appears this time round she will have to be more creative to outwit her competitors.
One of her rivals, Anne Njeri Karigi, is using the slogan Karigu Keru – Kikuyu for ripe banana – to attract voters as a sharp and beautiful aspirant.
Ms Karigu, in her late 20s, has become popular among the youth who also admire her beauty. She, however, says she has a lot more to offer the electorate.
She promises to create opportunities for women to reduce the high rate of unemployment in the county.
“I will bring on board people who will help design and develop community programmes to promote wellbeing of people,” she told the Sunday Nation.
NEW STRATEGIES
Another youthful aspirant, Ms Grace Karuga, who is vying for the seat on a Kanu ticket, is using the slogan “Fresh start” to win hearts of the electorate.
The seat has attracted more than 15 candidates. Ms Agnes Njambi is using the slogan “Tujenge Nakuru County”.
The entry of youthful aspirants in the race, according to pundits, might change the political matrix in the region.
This is because older aspirants will now be required to work extra harder on new strategies to woo voters.
In the region’s gubernatorial race, aspirants have also been identified by various catchphrases, as they battle it out for the coveted seat.
Governor Kinuthia Mbugua is, for instance, popularly known as KM, the initials of his name.
OTHER SLOGANS
Former Naivasha lawmaker John Mututho, who is seeking to unseat Mbugua, is using the slogan “Bingwa wa Maendeleo”.
Former National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) chairman Lee Kinyanjui has ‘Jibu ni Lee’.
For Nakuru Town East MP David Gikaria, ‘TM Baba Yao’, he says, depicts him as a mobiliser and a leader.
Youthful Nakuru Town West aspirant Victor Ngatia is using “Hatubahatishi Tunahakikisha” to lure the youth.
County Assembly Speaker Susan Kihika, who is gunning for the Senate, has “Mama na Kazi”.
Ms Rosemary Wanjiru, who is eyeing Biashara Ward Rep seat – currently held by Mr Stephen Kuria – is using the slogan “Chaguo ni Mama”.
The aspirants hope that the catchy campaign slogans will help them capture the electorate so that they can beat their opponents.
