Race to succeed Muchai hots up as more candidates toss hat in the ring

Kiambu,Kenya: The race to succeed the late Kabete MP George Muchai continues to attract candidates with more than 20 aspirants expressing an interest to vie for the seat in the May 4 by-election.

By last Friday, 23 candidates had announced they would vie for the seat, and the battle will be how to secure the coveted Jubilee Alliance Party (JAP) ticket. This being a predominantly Jubilee zone, this ticket will put the candidate one step ahead of the rest the pack as  aspirants vie to replace Muchai who was killed by gunmen last month.

Political bigwigs in Kiambu County will also be keenly watching events in Kabete ahead of the 2017 General Election. Kiambu Governor William Kabogo, his political nemesis Senator Kimani Wamatangi and Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wa are key political players in the area.

On Thursday, Wamatangi and Ichungwa accompanied Transport Cabinet Secretary Micheal Kamau on a tour of several road repair projects in Kabete Constituency. However, they said the visit was not about politics since they were accompanying the generally apolitical CS.

“I’m aware of the campaigns by those keen to replace Muchai,”said Wamatangi. “However, this being my home area, politics will not be played while I’m asleep.”

Ichung’wa echoed Wamatangi’s sentiments, and said he had an interest in the election as the legislator of the neighbouring constituency.

Although Kabogo is yet to speak about the impending by-elections, it is expected that his endorsement will be sought as the most senior politician in the county.

It is Kabogo’s non-verbal cues that observers are now watching. During Muchai’s requiem mass, Kabogo invited area Member of County Assembly Charles Arahuka, who is also the Kiambu County chief whip, to address mourners. However, Arahuka has since pulled out of the race.

Joint nomination

Kabete MCA Walter Ndambo had also appeared to be interested in running until it emerged last Thursday that he may be throwing his weight behind controversial former Embakasi MP Ferdinand Waititu.

The National Alliance coordinator in Kiambu County, Gladys Chania, who is coordinating JAP’s affairs in Kabete, said she had a list of 23 potential hopefuls but only 17 had spoken to her directly about their intentions to run.

“We hope to hold our nominations on March 19, but we are yet to meet with the officials at the headquarters to conclude the matter,” Chania said.

She gave the candidates the go-ahead to campaign, but asked them to hold mature campaigns devoid of violence.

“We do not have JAP structures in any of the counties and anything that happens under JAP is represented by URP or TNA. The parties will field their candidates for a joint nomination with the winner securing the JAP ticket,” said Chania.

JAP vice chairman David Murathe said a free and fair nomination would be held in Kabete. Last month’s Kajiado Central nominations will serve as a case study.

“The party has no favoured candidate and it will maintain its impartiality in any nominations involving its constituent parties,” added Murathe.

The aspirants include Waititu, Lewis Nguyai (former area MP), James Wanjohi, Charles Chege, Wanjiku Kinuthia (the only female candidate), Kavore Kariuki, Nicolas Muchai, Newton Njenga, Mburu Kang’ethe, Peter Kariuki, Charles Maina, Simon Gathu, James Githua and Simon Ngugi.

Human rights activist John Wamagata is also in the race but he will be running on a Safina ticket. Safina is not a JAP affiliate party.

High profile

Waititu’s entry into the race has generated some heat owing to his high profile political activities in Nairobi.

 Waititu has already dismissed those who want him to back out of the race and says he has roots in the area as his grandparents had roots in the Karura Kanyungu area of Kiambu.

“I want to serve the people of Kabete for these three years and then go back to Nairobi to seek the governor’s seat. I have hit the ground running from day one since I know the needs of the area,” said Waititu.

Rev Ezbon Ngaruiya, the Diocese of Mt Kenya South Kenya Anglican Men Association coordinator, says that because the constituency is to a large degree cosmopolitan, even those who have not been associated with the area may stand a chance.

Kabete’s 70,000 voters will be more interested in sober candidates who can complete the development projects that Muchai launched, said Ngaruiya.