Candidates jostle for TNA ticket as Gatundu gears up for mini polls

Gatundu, Kenya: The death of Gatundu South MP Joseph Ngugi is expected to re-ignite the battle to inherit the seat previously held by President Uhuru Kenyatta between 2002 and last year.

Although interested candidates are yet to begin campaigning for the seat, some have been more forward about their ambitions than others.

City Lawyer Kiarie Kamere has already declared he would contest in the by-election whose date is yet to be announced as the National Assembly Speaker is yet to declare the seat vacant.

Kamere lost to Ngugi in The National Alliance party nominations.    He was later to emerge second when he opted to contest the seat on a Narc party ticket.

Ngugi garnered 10,335 votes to clinch the TNA ticket while Kamere got 6,995 votes during the nominations that were marred by irregularities. “I will be in the race ready to battle it out with other candidates because I believe I have what it takes to hold the position,” Kamere told The Standard on Sunday.

Jubilee crusader

Kamere has been undertaking charity works in Gatundu South.   Through his Kiarie Kamere Foundation, the lawyer has been promoting education in primary and secondary schools, creating awareness on various medical conditions and helping those afflicted get  treatment.

TNA strategist Moses Kuria has also declared interest in the seat and already, a Facebook fan page for his candidature has been created.

“A man with a vision for the youth, a man with answers and solutions to our problems is none other than Moses Kuria. Let’s put all our endless support to this new beginning,” the newly-created group dubbed Moses Kuria for MP Gatundu South reads.

Mr Kuria, a strong, even abrasive Jubilee crusader,   could not be reached for comment as he is out of the country. Analysts say Kuria, who is eyeing the seat for the first time, will have to make himself known at the grassroots, especially if candidates will be subjected to party nominations.

Other candidates reported  to be keen to succeed  Ngugi include Thuku Maracha, who works in the insurance sector,  and former Ngenda Ward Councilor Joseph Karingu. Zachary Waruiru Mukui, who has unsuccessfully contested the seat in the last two General Elections, is also reported to be eyeing the seat. Mr Waruiru vied for the seat on a Democratic Party ticket in last year’s polls.

Another potential candidate is  Mwangi Ngubia, who campaigned vigorously for Ngugi in the 2013 polls. Julius Chege, a contestant who emerged third in last year’s polls, is undecided if he will vie for the seat. Chege runs Pamoja Women Development Programme (PAWDEP), a microfinance institution.

“Being the President’s constituency, we need a very vibrant MP. I am still weighing my options and with my present responsibility, I may not go back to constituency politics,” he said.

President’s influence

During Ngugi’s burial at Gitare village in upper Gatundu, Gatanga MP Humphrey Njuguna made remarks that appeared to endorse Joyce Wanjiku—the late MP’s widow—for the position.

Njuguna was supported by influential Kiambu politicians, including Kiambu Governor William Kabogo.

Moreover, a reliable local opinion leader says the Roman Catholic Church, which is considerably influential in the area, is seeking to position one of its faithful in the race.

Catholic clerics argue that the President is the only Catholic to have represented the constituency despite the church’s large following in the area.

Currently it would appear like the influential Kenyatta family is keeping out of this race. But former Kiganjo Ward Councilor and Orange Democratic Party (ODM) Kiambu Secretary Charles “CN’ Mbugua believes the First Family can still influence the outcome of the race by pulling strings behind the scene.

Pundits say the battle for the TNA ticket is likely to be between Kamere and one other strong candidate.

“The President would not want  his own  party to lose in his own home. His party will ensure they recapture the seat because losing it will be quite embarrassing ” said Political Scientist Paul Ndung’u.

Kiambu TNA Vice Chairman William Josiah concurs, and says whoever bags the ticket will be ‘home and dry.”  He says the most critical part is how to pick the candidate from the multitudes that have expressed an interest to vie.

Gladys Chania, the Kiambu TNA coordinator, says it is too early to say what criteria will be used to pick a candidate, and that the party will evaluate all potential candidates.

“We will evaluate the candidates and know if we will subject them to a nomination process so that the electorate can pick their choice and from there we can support him or her during the campaign. We are determined to ensure we get the seat,” Ms Chania told The Standard on Sunday.

But twists and turns are expected in this race. According to insiders, Ngengi Muigai, a former MP and President Kenyatta’s cousin, has left many wondering about his intentions. Ngengi  has recently convened several get together meetings of opinion shapers in the area.

It is unlikely that Ngengi, who succeeded Mzee Jomo Kenyatta as Gatundu MP in 1979 and served two terms to 1988, will be in the race if only on account of his age and health. Ngengi did not answer his phone when The Standard On Sunday called him on Wednesday.