Ngilu move spoils fete for VP

By Daniel Nzia

Water Minister Charity  Ngilu

Water and Irrigation minister Charity Ngilu’s entry into the presidential race has caused ripples in Ukambani.

The outspoken Kitui Central MP has hit the campaign trail running with a series of boardroom and public meetings in Machakos, Makueni and Kitui Counties.

In each and every place has visited, Ngilu has sought to assure her supporters that she is firmly in the race, urging them to ignore propaganda that she was someone’s project.

Never too late

“I am a woman of my own. Those going round telling you that I am a project planted to spoil for the Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka are liars”, she said.

When The County Weekly sought her comments on why she has joined the race a bit late, Ngilu said it is never too late in politics.

“There are many more other aspirants out there who are yet to declare their candidature publicly. Will you ask them why they came late if they come forward?” posed Ngilu.

She refused to be drawn into the VP and her candidature debate arguing her’s is an issue based campaign.

She has promised what she termed “a bare-knuckle” fight, adding her experience in the opposition has taught her several political lessons.

A week ago, the minister was in Machakos town where she met with the business community before addressing a public rally at Kenyatta stadium.

She ruled out any possible pre election coalitions saying she is determined to go all the way with Kenyans on her side.

The MP said her coalition is with the Kenyan voters through her five point dream where she intends to address five key issues in five years.

 Ngilu, who is making her second stab at the presidency is asking Kenyans to elect leaders they can trust and who are capable of managing their resources well.

Running mate

The Kitui Central MP urged Kenyans to carefully scrutinize and vet those seeking to be elected to various political seats in order to make informed choices.

She said those who have failed to deliver have no business vying for any seat and asked the electorate to reject such leaders.

“If a leader has failed to deliver during the time he or she has been in a position of leadership, why should they bother voters?” posed Ngilu.

Bruising battle

Observers are however skeptical about her seriousness, arguing she is only interested in raising her stakes to woo certain presidential hopefuls to pick her as a running mate.

The Wiper Ambassadors Lobby group National Coordinator Francis Mwangangi was categorical Ngilu is a project of some forces outside Ukambani.

“Just about two months ago Ngilu was allied to Prime Minister Raila Odinga with the hope that she would be picked as running mate. What has changed this agenda in less than two three weeks?” asked Mwangangi.

The Kalonzo point man in Machakos County further said Ngilu did not need to go round telling the community she was on her own.

He saw her entry into the race as another desperate scheme by Kalonzo’s detractors to derail his ambitions but warned this would fail. 

The Yatta constituency parliamentary candidate asked the community to be wary of leaders who preached divisive politics.

Mwangangi however acknowledged that the water minister had a right to exercise her democratic right by seeking the presidency.

 Ngilu’s close ally in the region, Mutito MP Kiema Kilonzo claimed some people had been “bought” to discredit the NARC leader.