The May 18 by-election for Rurii ward in Nyandarua will be a do-or-die-for governor Francis Kimemia and his avowed political opponents in the county.

 The seat fell vacant following the death of the area MCA John Mburu Wamaria in January.

 Kimemia is backing the Jubilee candidate Peter Thinji while his opponents, led by Woman Representative Faith Gitau, are backing the UDA candidate Francis Muraya.

 Should the Jubilee candidate lose, then the ward people will have fired a warning shot to the Governor that 2022 General Election will not be easy for him when he seeks a second term at the helm of the County.

 “A loss for Jubilee will be like a vote of no confidence for the Governor,” former Rurii MCA, Wahome Kamoce said.

 Kamoce added; “Kimemia ataonja pilipili Rurii kama vile Kanu ilionja pilipili Kipipiri in 1995.”

 In 1995, after the death of Ford Asili’s Laban Muchemi, Kanu lost a by-election in Kipipiri constituency despite all government machinery being used to mobilised support for the Kanu man against Democratic Party’s (DP) candidate Mwangi Githiomi. Githiomi is the current senator for Nyandarua.

Impose person on them

 Kamoce said although Rurii people respect President Uhuru Kenyatta, they are not happy that Jubilee wants to use Kimemia to impose on them a person from neighbouring Karau Ward.

 Thinji is the chairman of Ol Kalou Town Business Community, a caucus of people, which Kimemia occasionally engages on various issues.

 For Kimemia’s opponents who are supporting UDA candidate, a loss for the party associated with Deputy President William Ruto would mean their chances of recapturing their seats in 2022 will be diminished and the DP could seek for new point men in the County.

 Currently, the DP uses MPs David Kiaraho (partially), Mwangi Muchira and Faith Gitau as his point people.

Ndaragwa MP, Jeremiah Kioni, Kipipiri Mp, Amos Kimunya who is the leader of Majority in the National assembly and Senator Githiomi are not in DP’s camp.

 The DP’s camp showed its interest in Rurii ward during the burial of Wamaria. In addition to contributing fund for the funeral arrangement, many Mps allied the DP including Moses Kuria, Jane Kihara and Rigathi Gachagua attended the burial.

 The UDA camp is apprehensive of possible use of administration by their Jubilee opponents to intimidate its supporters during the campaign period.

Luckily for them, the campaign is being conducted door-to-door due to a ban on public gatherings because of Corona pandemic.

 “We are prepared for anything including the teargas, but we are supporting the UDA candidate all the way,” declared Gabriel Gitui, a resident of Rurii.