UDA aspirant in Muminji ward lands plum govt job after dropping out of by-election race
By Mabonga Makhanu, February 7, 2026Benson Mwaniki, who recently withdrew from the Muminji by-election race, has been appointed by Roads and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary Daviea Chirchir as a Board Member of the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) for a three-year term.
The appointment has been warmly acknowledged by Peterson Njiru Weche, who defeated Mwaniki in the UDA primaries, with Njiru publicly congratulating him on his new role.
Taking to social media, Weche congratulated him, saying, “I take this opportunity to warmly congratulate my brother, Ben Mwaniki, on his appointment as a Board Member of the National Transport and Safety Authority by His Excellency the President. This appointment is a true testament to resilience, courage, and unwavering commitment to service.”
He further extended gratitude to the national leadership, mentioning, “We sincerely thank His Excellency the President, the Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Hon. Cecily Mbarire, EGH, Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Geoffrey Kiringa RUKU, and Hon. Leo Wa Mūthende for the honour and the confidence placed in our own.”
“As you take up this national responsibility, serve with integrity and distinction, and continue to put the great people of Muminji firmly on the national map. Wishing you every success as you serve our nation,” he added
Upcoming by-elections
This comes after heated UDA primaries in Muminji and Evurore wards, where Peterson Njiru was awarded the UDA ticket for Muminji and Duncan Nyaga was awarded the ticket for Evurore Ward after garnering 2,793 and 3,578 votes, respectively, in the party primaries.
The by-election slated for February 26, 2026, has attracted significant reactions from leaders in the constituency. Area MP Leonard Wathende dared former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to field candidates in the Evurore and Muminji wards if he is indeed the kingpin of the Mount Kenya region.
He warned Gachagua against hiding behind other parties so that, in case they lose, he distances himself, saying that it was not his party that was in the race, as was the case in Mbeere North.
A similar exercise was also held in Kabras West, where the UDA party gave the party ticket to Elphas Shalakha, who won the seat and is set to face Nivah Musa of the Democratic Action Party (DAP-K) and Bramwel Khaemba of the Democracy for Citizens (DCP) party.