Mary Wambui kicks off campaign for Othaya parliamentary seat

By Job Weru

Nyeri, Kenya: Former Othaya MP Mary Wambui launched her campaigns Monday, as the date for the by-election drew closer.

Wambui, who was accompanied by Nyeri County MP Priscillah Nyokabi, Mathira and Lamu West MPs Peter Weru and Julius Ndegwa, accused her main opponent of employing underhand tactics against her in the campaigns.

She claimed Peter King’ara, the DP aspirant, was trailing her movements and had even employed some people to record her meetings.

“He has employed some people to attend all my meetings and they have been taking my photographs and recording all my meetings,” she said.

Speaking at Kagicha area in Chinga, the TNA aspirant called on voters to re-elect her during the April 29 by-election. She said other contestants were running on parties that are not in the Jubilee coalition.

Meagre funds

“DP ceased being a national party and you should also know that Jubilee coalition, which is led by President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto, is comprised (sic) of TNA, URP and Narc parties,” she said.

She said her one-year track record was evident, noting that she has since increased bursary allocations for students from the meagre Sh2,000 to between Sh7,000 and Sh15,000.

“The funds that were being allocated to needy students was so meagre that it could not help the beneficiaries. I want Othaya to be the best constituency anybody can live in,” she said. The constituency was represented in Parliament for a long time by retired President Mwai Kibaki.

Wambui also urged the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) to reconsider its stand and pay out mini bonus to farmers.

Terrorising muslims

“Farmers had hopes of receiving these funds so as to pay fees for their children. We are urging KTDA to advance the payments,” she said.

The MPs in her entourage said Parliament was united in ensuring the first time MP recaptured her seat.

Nyokabi, who is originally from Othaya said Wambui had proved to be a development conscious leader and had won support from all MPs, regardless of their party affiliation.

She regretted that out of the 290 elected MPs in parliament, only 16 were female and urged the residents to re-elect Ms Wambui.

“Give us back Wambui and by so doing, you will also beef up support for Uhuru and Ruto in Parliament,” she said.

Weru said they had faith in IEBC, despite calls by King’ara for the removal of IEBC officials who officiated the March 4 General Election.

He also urged all leaders from across all religions to unite and condemn terrorism.

Weru regretted that some MPs who practise Islamic faith had started accusing the government of terrorising Muslims in the guise of fighting terrorism.

“Let them know that Kenyans are watching them,” said Weru.