Fears of vacuum as experienced MPs scramble for governorship around Kenya

Kigumo MP Jamleck Kamau (centre) at Kigumo Bendera Secondary School on Saturday where he attended a thanksgiving ceremony after serving as the area MP for two terms. He also launched his bid for governorship. Mt Kenya legislators are worried that the scramble for governorship may deny the region much-needed experience in Parliament. (PHOTO: JENIPHER WACHIE AND JOB WERU/ STANDARD)

Mt Kenya legislators are worried that the scramble for governorship may deny the region much-needed experience in Parliament.

The number of local MPs and senators eyeing the prestigious governor’s job is increasing by the day, meaning the region may end up with political novices in the National Assembly and the Senate after next year’s General Election.

Many seasoned politicians may end up as governors while those who lose the battle remain out in the cold. Some leaders fear this could affect the region’s performance in national politics as well as in both houses.

Mukurweini MP Kabando wa Kabando has said it is important to retain institutional memory both for purposes of legislation and representation of community interests.

“There are genuine concerns about the fact we may lose authoritative voices from this region, which may limit our bargaining power given our inter-regional and inter-ethnic dynamics. I am nevertheless confident that a few conscientious personalities will remain in Parliament,” said Mr Kabando.

The latest entrant in the race for governor is Kigumo MP Jamleck Kamau, who last Saturday declared his interest in the Murang’a seat.

The MP, who has represented Kigumo for two consecutive terms, joins a host of experienced leaders eyeing the top county job. Others who have declared their interest in the governorship are Runyenjes MP Cecily Mbarire who is serving her third term and her second-term counterparts Mithika Linturi (Igembe South) and Ferdinand Waititu (Kabete).

Embu Senator Lenny Kivuti declared last week he would face off with Governor Martin Wambora and Ms Mbarire. First-time MP Muthomi Njuki of Chuka Igambang’ombe has also declared an interest in ousting Tharaka Nithi Governor Samuel Ragwa.

Fierce critic

Another notable leader who will exit with a wealth of experience is Meru Senator Kiraitu Murungi who has been a fierce critic of Governor Peter Munya.

Before devolution, Mr Murungi was a long-serving Imenti South MP. He has been an MP since 1992 and has formerly served as Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. He has also been shadow Attorney General.

During the 2002 General Election, Murungi won the South Imenti parliamentary seat on a Narc ticket. In 2005, he was appointed Minister for Energy after the flopped November constitutional referendum.

Murungi enjoys support from several MPs, including Mr Mithika who is going for the senator’s seat and Woman Representative Florence Kajuju.

In Murang’a, Kamau has been a critic of Governor Mwangi wa Iria whom he accuses of lacking priorities and misusing public resources. The MP said his dream of becoming governor was unstoppable as he rallied residents to support his bid.

Kamau and Kandara MP Alice Wahome are unhappy that the Kenneth Matiba Eye and Dental Hospital is located in a rental building.

“It is unacceptable that the county government spends Sh1.2 million every month on rent. Since I became MP, I have put up many health centres and dispensaries in Kigumo, but sadly, the county government has not stocked them with drugs and other supplies,” Kamau said.

The leaders also castigated the county government for spending funds on circumcision rituals for young boys and distributing sweet potato vines, napier grass and manure to residents.

“We do not want sweet potato vines, we want roads. We do not want manure, we want electricity,”  said Kamau.

Mbarire who has been an MP for 15 years and served as Tourism assistant minister for seven years, said: “I feel the need to exit from my parliamentary post to give room to others to serve the people of Runyenjes.

“In my legislative duties, I have been exposed to various leadership styles and acquired skills that would add value to my work as a governor. Embu needs better governance and I am ready to provide leadership and another level of management of county affairs,” she said.

The chairperson of the Kenya Women Parliamentarians Association believes political leadership is about networking and creating good relationships within Government. Mbarire, who has never been in the Opposition, said as an MP, she had created networks that would be useful to Embu County. She noted that most governors were too busy fighting the national government, which was unnecessary.

 FEMALE LEADERSHIP

“The people of Runyenjes have voted for me twice and I have proved myself to them as a leader. My development record is there for all to see. That other contestants are fighting me shows I am not just any other candidate. However, the people appear ready to embrace female leadership,” she said.

Mbarire said her leadership would be inclusive and involve an open-door policy that involved all MCAs in decision making.

Njuki, the Chuka Igambang’ombe MP, said MPs from Tharaka Nithi had consulted and concluded that the county was in the wrong hands. He said the money pumped into the county by the National Treasury since 2013 - about Sh15 billion - has not been well utilised.

“Our experience in Parliament will not be lost. For instance, you will notice counties that are a bit developed are those headed by leaders who once served in national politics, who understand public relations and how offices are run,” said Njuki.

He believes MPs who become governors will use their influence to develop counties.

“We need leaders who will also take the interests of the Mount Kenya Caucus to the national government,” he said.

— Additional reporting: Boniface Gikandi, Joseph Muchiri and Kevin Ngai