Crowded field as former MPs, bigwigs join Kabete seat race
Kiambu County TNA coordinator Gladys Chania and Senator Kimani Wamatangi at a past press conference. The battle for the Kabete parliamentary seat has attracted a large number of contestants. PHOTO | ANNE MACHARIA |
What you need to know:
- Disputes pitting Governor Kabogo against local leaders to intensify.
- Waititu, Nguyai and MCA chief whip among 23 people seeking to clinch JAP ticket for May 19 poll.
Campaigns for the Kabete by-election are taking shape with at least 23 candidates declaring interest in the seat that fell vacant following the death of local MP George Muchai, who was shot dead together with his two bodyguards and a driver.
Twenty-three people have so far declared interest in the Jubilee Alliance Party (JAP) ticket which pundits say is virtually guaranteed to win the seat. This is a reflection of the local dominance of President Kenyatta’s political party.
The polls are slated for May 19. Candidates include former Embakasi MP and Nairobi gubernatorial loser Ferdinand Waititu. He and his grandparents are from Karura Kanyungu in the constituency.
With his experience as an MP in Embakasi, he could be among the frontrunners for the seat.
He says the remaining term is too short to be given to a greenhorn. “We need someone who knows all the routes. If elected, I will start working the next day,” Mr Waititu said.
He added that he would give priority to projects Mr Muchai had begun.
Former assistant minister and ex-Kikuyu MP Lewis Nguyai is also in the race. He says he is privy to Kabete issues since he represented the area when it was the larger Kikuyu constituency.
“I have worked for the people of Kabete before, and I know the issues affecting them. Kabete requires an experienced politician who will be able to lobby, negotiate and legislate on key issues,” he said.
Mr Nguyai was MP for Kikuyu ,which then comprised Kikuyu and Kabete constituencies, between 2007 and 2013. In the 2013 polls, he dropped his bid after he lost the TNA ticket to Mr Muchai.
He said that if beaten in the JAP race, he would support the winner.
VOTERS WERE TIRED
Mr Chege Gitau, 30, from Uthiru, is hoping that his community work through his Chege Foundation will help him clinch the seat.
The financial expert said political experience should not be used to determine the next MP, adding that former leaders lost in the last polls because voters were tired of them.
“Mr Muchai was a greenhorn in politics, and he did great things,” he said.
Ms Wanjiku Kinuthia, a trader, is the only woman to have declared interest in the seat. She says her agenda is youth and empowerment.
“I have the ability to organise, prioritise and solve problems,” she said.
Mr James Njoroge, 30 (Kana Funny), who unsuccessfully battled for the seat in 2013 as an independent candidate, is also in the race.
“God has given me His vote, and now I ask the people of Kabete to let me be their next MP who will complete Muchai’s projects and do much more,” he said.
Kiambu County Assembly chief whip Charles Arahuka, who is also the Gitaru Ward representative and former Kikuyu Town Council chairman, is also warming up for the seat, but he has kept a low profile.
Mr John Githua has hit the ground running and has been giving out bicycles and jikos to the electorate. Others in the race include Mr Kavore Kariuki, Mr Nicolas Muchai, Mr Newton Njenga, Mr Peter Kariuki, Mr Charles Maina, Mr Simon Gathu, Mr Gibson Mburu, and Mr Simon Ngugi. Mr John Wamagata will be battling on a Safina ticket.
The National Alliance (TNA) Kiambu county branch coordinator Gladys Chania said the party would carry out the nominations and hand over the winner to the newly-created JAP.
A row pitting Governor William Kabogo against other leaders is expected to influence the campaigns. Mr Kabogo is said to be supporting his close friend, Mr Arahuka.
