Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has unveiled County Executive Member (CEC) James Kinyua Mutugi as her running mate during the August 9 polls.

Kinyua Mutugi, is a former Wamumu ward Member of County Assembly who ruled between 2013 and 2017.

If Governor Waiguru, who is defending her seat on United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party ticket wins the August elections, Mutugi will replace the current Deputy Governor Peter Ndambiri.

Ndambiri allegedly fell out with Waiguru following the 2020 attempt by the members of the county assembly to impeach her, on grounds of gross misconduct.

However, the motion to impeach her was dismissed by the Senate

Ndambiri is now Kirinyaga County Senator Charles Kibiru’s running mate ahead of August polls. They are vying for the county’s top seat on a Jubilee party ticket.

If the two manage to floor the incumbent, Kirinyaga County Woman Representative Wangui Ngirici among other candidates, Ndambiri will automatically become the Deputy Governor to Kibiru, but for a second term since he is the current Deputy Governor.

Both Ndambiri and Mutugi are residents of the vote-rich Mwea Constituency, a clear strategy by the two camps to seek backing from the larger Mwea electorates.

However, Mutugi hails from Mwea West Sub-county while Ndambiri resides in Mwea East Sub-county respectively.

“We are having a Deputy Governor from Mwea East, but after searching, the only person we have identified is from Wamumu, Mwea East, and his name is; James Kinyua Mutugi,” Waiguru told residents.

On his side, Mutugi who is the current County Executive Member of Education said that he is ready to work with Waiguru to ensure that she retains her seat.

“I want to tell you before God and these people that I will support you. The people of Wamumu, the larger Mwea, as well as Kirinyaga county voters, will vote for you,” Mutugi said.