Blow-by-blow review of war for Mt Kenya 

The governor’s race in 10 Mt Kenya counties region has started, with Kenya Kwanza and Azimio La Umoja coalitions settling on their preferred candidates.

Although fringe parties will also field candidates, observers say the main battle pits United Democratic Alliance of Deputy President William Ruto against Pressident Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee Party. The two outfits have enough financial muscle and political dominance.

On Sunday, UDA issued certificates to various winners, while JP has also settled on its candidates, save for Nyandarua and Kirinyaga. It is expected to do so this week. The race has attracted wealthy politicians.

Unlike in Rift Valley where UDA’s ticket is almost a guaranteed win, the case is different in Mt Kenya. Ruto has made significant inroads but his party faces stiff competition from Jubilee. 

Macharia Munene, a professor of history, says the presidential race in the region has emerged as a contest between  Ruto and Uhuru — as opposed to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Each party will have to put its best foot forward. 

High stakes elections

“The two have high stakes in this election. Now it is up to the nominated candidates to popularise themselves,” Munene told People Daily yesterday.

In Uhuru’s home county of Kiambu, Senator Kimani Wamatangi faces incumbent James Nyoro (Jubilee), after he defeated Ferdinand Waititu and Thika MP Patrick Wainaina for the UDA ticket.. He garnered 68,786 votes.

“The Kiambu primaries have given UDA a strong team. The polls are just the beginning of change in Kiambu. We will move to every part of the county to ensure we win the August elections,” Wamatangi said.

Wainaina has indicated he will run as an independent candidate. Others are ex-Governor William Kabogo of Tujibebe Wakenya and Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria of Chama Cha Kazi.

Wamatangi’s victory has been credited to his political maturity and voter networks, having been a senator for 10 years, and his consistency in community work through the Wamatangi Foundation. The foundation offers free community transport, water tanks and computer training.

Nyoro has heightened his ground activities and is bracing for a tough fight. Besides his track record,  he hopes the ongoing efforts by Uhuru to rejuvenate the party will boost his chances.

Last Thursday, Uhuru said: “Those who think I will not be on the campaign trail should hold their horses. They will soon see me traversing the country, telling the people my truth. Where do they think they can take me?” 

But some candidates are steering clear of Azimio and UDA politics. Recently, Meru Governor Kiraitu Murugi said: “Choose a president of your choice. If you elect Ruto, he will give Kiraitu money for Meru. If you elect Raila, he will give money to Kiraitu to develop Meru. What’s the contention for?”

Kiraitu wants to be re-elected in Meru. He got a major boost after Uhuru convinced Agriculture CS Peter Munya not to return to county politics. Kiraitu is the sole Azimio candidate through  Devolution Empowerment Party. He  faces Senator Mithika Linturi  (UDA) and Woman Rep Kawira Mwangaza.

The Nakuru battle pits incumbent Lee Kinyanjui (Jubilee) against Senator Susan Kihika (UDA). The two have  lately exchanged bitter words on the running of the county. While Kinyanjui hopes to ride on his scorecard, Kihika is banking on a UDA wave to boost her chances.

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s campaign board chairman, Ndiritu Muriithi, is flying the  Azimio ticket in Laikipia, and faces competition from predecessor Joshua Irungu, who felled Laikipia West MP Patrick Mariru in the UDA primaries.

This is the fourth time Ndiritu and Irungu are fighting for the soul of Laikipia. In 2013, Ndiritu unsuccessfully contested on a Party of National Unity ticket. In 2017, they were both in the Jubilee primaries but Ndiritu returned to the race as an independent candidate and won.

“We’re embarking on the next phase, building an ambitious vision for the county,” Irungu said of his UDA victory.

In  Murang’a, former Kigumo MP Jamleck Kamau,  a close ally of Uhuru, is making a second stab at the seat against Senator Irungu Kang’ata of UDA. On Sunday, the ex-lawmaker, who initially was in CCK before Jubilee wooed him back, launched aggressive  campaigns.

Former Water Principal Secretary Irungu Wairagu is contesting on Democratic Party while ex-PS Irungu Nyakera is on Farmer’s Party. Pundits rate them as lightweights against the UDA and Jubilee waves.

Governor Mutahi Kahiga, who got a direct UDA ticket to defend the Nyeri seat he inherited from the late Wahome Gakuru, is facing off with Senator Ephraim Maina of Jubilee. The senator accuses the governor of plunder and incompetence, while Mutahi paints Maina as a failure. Though there are other candidates, notably businessman Thuo Mathenge, the two have been viewed as the main contenders.

Nyandarua is still waiting for Jubilee to settle on either former Water Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki or incumbent Francis Kimemia. There are four other candidates, but the race so far is between Badilisha, Kariuki and Kimemia.

 and the front runners, and after Jubilee picks a candidate, it will be reduced to a two-horse race.

Badilisha says he is waiting for the Jubilee Party candidates so that they can defeat him or her in August

“I  congratulate all candidates nominated on our vibrant UDA party in Nyandarua County and urge them join me in forming a United For Nyandarua team that will deliver victory for all the seats including that of the next President in August polls, “ he said