Gatundu South race hots up ahead of TNA primaries

Jossy Ngugi’s widow Joyce Wanjiku Ngugi speaking to residents of Gatundu South when she officially announced her candidature in the forthcoming by-election. (Photo: Kamau Maichuhie/Standard)

Kiambu, Kenya: The race for the Gatundu South parliamentary by-elections has shown signs of vibrancy ahead of The National Alliance (TNA) primaries scheduled for Monday.

Joyce Wanjiku Ngugi, the widow of immediate former MP Jossy Ngugi, who collapsed and died in his bathroom last month, made the unexpected announcement early this week that she would be joining the crowded field of contestants.

Speaking at her rural home in Gitare Village in upper Gatundu, Mrs Ngugi made it clear that she was only bowing to pressure from constituents to contest and complete her late husband’s development projects.

Initially, the contest appeared like it would be a two-horse race pitting Kiarie Kamere, a city lawyer who finished second in last year’s elections and debutant and vocal political activist Moses Kuria. However, the widow’s entry has completely changed the equation, making the race a hard nut to crack. The holder of a Master’s degree in Education and Agriculture from Egerton University is believed to have played a leading role in her husband’s election last year due to her excellent organisational skills and interaction with women and youth groups.

She made a name for herself in the constituency through championing for the fight against alcohol and drug abuse through her Bridge Rehabilitation Centre at Mutomo in Ng’enda Ward, which she has been using to rehabilitate alcohol and drug addicts. Campaigns for the TNA ticket have been intense, with the main aspirants such as Mr Kuria splashing up on full page advertisements in national newspapers to get a head start in the race for the seat held once held by founding President Jomo Kenyatta and President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Interested parties

Seven candidates who have so far declared interest in the seat, including Kuria, Thuku Maracha, Catherine Mwangi and Joseph Karing’u, a former councillor from Ng’enda Ward. In Ndarugo Ward, there is Mr Kamere and Zachary Mukui. Mrs Ngugi is the only candidate from Kiganjo Ward after Sophinga wa Mbibiana stepped down in her favour while Kiamwangi Ward has none.

Pundits say the presence of the four candidates in Ng’enda, which has the bulk of votes in the constituency, and hosts Gatundu township might work to its disadvantage since the votes may be split. “Kiganjo and Kiamwangi may vote as a block for their candidates, “Wa Mbibiana said. A split is also likely between frontrunner Kamere and Mukui in Ndarugo Ward.

This, pundits say, may hand Mrs Ngugi substantial votes in Kiganjo and Kiamwangi wards, giving her a head start towards clinching the coveted TNA ticket which will almost be the decider of the election proper. Mrs Ngugi is also banking on the wave of her husband’s popularity and his impressive development record during his short stint as the area MP to bag the ticket.

While announcing her bid, the widow promised to ensure all the projects that her late husband had initiated are completed and new ones started. Widowed at a tender age, she is also seen as likely to attract many sympathy votes.

However, she has to contend with rivals’ sentiments that she is an outsider, originally from Nyeri, and therefore not well versed with issues in the constituency. “That is a non-issue since when a Kikuyu woman marries, the matrimonial home becomes her adopted home,” says a key ally. During the announcement rally in Gitare, she told the residents she has the blessings of the presidency to run for the seat. “I can say I have the blessings of the President. I know I have his blessings. No more explanations,” she told journalists.

So far, the President has not indicated who his preferred candidate is and he is expected to customarily steer clear of the “petty local politics” as a TNA top player put it.

Mrs Ngugi is, however, believed to have met powerful political players the week before last, who urged her to contest and allegedly chipped in on planning logistics. During Ngugi’s burial, Gatanga MP Humphrey Njuguna expressly endorsed the widow and was supported by influential Kiambu politicians, including Kiambu Governor William Kabogo.

Knowledgeable sources claim those backing her are seeking a person they can easily control as MP while some of her rivals claim that a prominent local family see her as the safest bet to warm the seat as an inheritor is groomed by the next elections.

Also among those supporting her candidature is local tycoon Mwangi Ngubia who also undertook elaborate campaigns for Ngugi in 2013 polls. Both Mr Kamere and Mr Kuria have hit the ground running, unveiling elaborate campaigns. Speaking recently during the Gatundu South Education Day recently, both aspirants outlined their vision and called on residents to turn out in large numbers during the party nominations.

“Having been a candidate during the last elections I am the most versed with the issues affecting the people of Gatundu, unlike some of us who are making a debut in politics,” Kamere told the gathering.

Kuria on his part did not waste the chance as he urged the residents to give him a chance to become their MP, promising visibility since he is an outspoken politician with national stature. “I am the best candidate for the seat. Being well connected in the Government I am the best bet. The people of Gatundu need a strong leader who will be able to champion their interests at the national level and even globally,” Kuria said.

Kamere believes he needs no introduction in the constituency, having contested in the last General Election to come second, which gives him a head start over rivals Mrs Ngugi, Kuria and Mr Maracha who are making a stab in politics for the first time. Kamere hopes his charity works that he has been undertaking in the area through his Kiarie Kamere Foundation will work in his favour.

Through the foundation, the lawyer has been offering free cervical cancer screening and treatment to residents, courtesy of his wife who is a cancer specialist.

He has also been promoting education in primary and secondary schools through the provision of text books to the learning institutions. Last weekend, Mr Kuria unveiled the inaugural Gatundu Shopping Festival in which shoppers from Nairobi bought and sampled various agricultural produce at the ultra-modern Gatundu market.

The candidates are banking on a free and fair nomination exercise, with some warning of unspecified dire political consequences should the exercise be marred with irregularities and favouritism. “We expect the primaries to be conducted in a democratic manner in order to allow the will of the people to prevail,” Kamere said. Not much has been witnessed from the other candidates and the battle is now seen as a three-horse race between Mrs Ngugi, Kamere and Kuria, if nothing changes.

The trio has challenged TNA leadership to rise to the occasion and ensure the voice of the people is respected by conducting credible nominations.

Kiambu County TNA Vice-Chairman William Josiah has assured the candidates of a free and fair nominations exercise. Gladys Chania, the Kiambu TNA coordinator said the party is determined to retain the seat and that the nomination process will be handled in credible manner to avert any fallout.