November 26, 2024

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Small parties roll up for Laikipia succession battle to succeed Mureithi

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By James Macharia

The battle for the Laikipia County governor’s seat has heightened with more than six candidates having declared interest for the top position, currently held by Nderitu Mureithi.

Laikipia West Member of parliament Patrick Mariru is the latest entrant in the crowded race.

The first time member of parliament will join a long list of politicians who have declared interest in the seat.

Governor Mureithi recently said that he might defend his seat on the Party of National Unity (PNU). In 2017, Mureithi was elected as an independent candidate.

Aspirants
Former governor Joshua Irungu, who has declared interest to contest for the seat, recently joined the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), the party that is allied to Deputy President William Ruto.

Others who have declared their interests include former deputy governor Gitonga Kabugi, former Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Thuita Mwangi, businessmen Boniface Nyamu, James Mathenge and Francis Ng’ang’a.

Others include Mirriam Mwangi, Human, Resource manager at Laikipia County Assembly and Jubilee nominated MCA Sylvia Museiya in county Assembly of Nairobi.

Speaking to PD on Tuesday, Laikipia West MP Patrick Mariru said that he will be vying for the UDA party.

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Mariru has twice hosted deputy president William Ruto in the area twice this year.

Mariru has accused the governor of slow development and said, if elected, he aspires to make the semi-arid county a better region, attractive to investors.

“It’s true, I will be vying for a governor seat in Laikipia 2022 on UDA party, “he said.

He said that his track record is clean. In 2013, he served as the speaker of the Laikipia County assembly before he was elected in 2017 as a member of parliament.

Political parties
Political analyst Andrew Maringa has claimed that the race will attract various parties as they attempt to outdo each other.

Gitonga Kabugi - Wikipedia
Gitonga Kabugi

He said that aspirants might face off during nomination to acquire ticket for famous parties while others will seek direct ticket from small parties.

“Laikipia being a cosmopolitan County will play key role as far as voting in 2022 is concerned, “he said.

TSP Party
Former cabinet secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri has been drumming support for his The Service Party (TSP).

Kiunjuri is yet to announce his candidacy for the seat.

There were rumours that the former Cs might vie for the seat although he hasn’t declared it in public.

PNU Party
Others include Incumbent governor Nderitu Mureithi who will defend his seat on the PNU party. Mr Mureithi was elected Laikipia West MP in 2007 on a PNU ticket. He recently told the media that, he was approached by party officials to join the party.

Ndiritu Muriithi – Kenya News Agency

UDA Party
Patrick Mariru, Gitonga Kabugi and former Governor Joshua Irungu are aligning themselves with UDA to unseat Nderitu Mureithi elected on an independent ticket and ready to defend his seat on a Party of National Unity (PNU) ticket.

Miriam Mwangi and Silvia Museiya are also eyeing UDA party tickets.

On Wednesday, Deputy President William Ruto spent the whole day in Laikipia west drumming up support for the Party.

He was hosted by area MP Patrick Mariru.

He visited Jebi, Gatundia, Rumuruti, Sipili, Kinamba, Karandi, Muthengera and Kwa Wanjiku.

Speaking to PD former deputy governor Gitonga Kabugi who contested in 2017 but lost to Mureithi said that, he has done a ground search and community elders have blessed his bid for the seat.

He said that Laikipia County needs a visionary leader who understands the locals’ needs and develops a solution to undress them.

He said that he is ready to secure his position in UDA after the nomination exercise which will be transparent and clear.

“Am ready to battle it out for UDA ticket,75 per cent of people of Laikipia are in UDA and support of deputy president William Ruto,” Gitonga said.

PNU-Ubuntu Peoples Forum (UPF) alliance

Governors Lee Kinyanjui (Nakuru), Francis Kimemia (Nyandarua), James Nyoro (Kiambu) and Nderitu Mureithi (Laikipia) said the two outfits had commenced “early conversations” on the matter further revealing that they (Lee, Kimemia, Nyoro and Mureithi) will engage like-minded actors to broaden the alliance.

In a joint statement Saturday, read by Nyoro, the governors said that the next few months will be critical in deciding the future of the country owing to the socio-economic opportunities and challenges currently facing the country.

Gathuo Gachuru who is eyeing the senatorial seat has said that small parties are interested in Laikipia after they elected the incumbent on the Independent ticket.

Gathuo said, some parties are plotting to form a pre-election deal and campaign one candidate and they will share positions after a government is formed.

“Laikipia County, electorates won’t elect a political party but an individual with merit and I can foresee parties forming a coalition and fronting one serious candidate, “he said.

Gitonga Kabugi said that small parties will have a rough time selling their manifestos in Laikipia.

He said that the battle will be between established parties with a national outlook.