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As the battle to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta as Mt Kenya kingpin hots up, prominent politicians have expressed interest to take over. 

Indicators on the ground are clear that veteran politicians including former presidential aspirant Joe Nyagah, Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi, Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki, former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mwangi Kiunjuri and Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru are the main contenders.

Other bigwigs angling for the position owing to their considerable following in the region are Murang’a Governor Mwangi Wa Iria, former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo and Trade CS Peter Munya.

Last week, Nyaga was endorsed by a group of clerics, led by Bible Truth Israel Church Bishop Johanna Ndirangu recently urged the President to incorporate Nyagah in the Building Bridges Initiative team.

Voters from the region also tipped Kiunjuri to be a hard nut to crack in the contest, saying that the former CS has support from his former and current homes, that is, Nyeri and Laikipia counties respectively.

Several politicians from the region have also endorsed Kiunjuri as the hunt for the region’s kingpin deepens.

They also indicated that Meru region will be keen to become the centre of power with Kiraitu and Kindiki eyeing the position.

Being the oldest of all contestants and having a wealth of knowledge of the region’s politics, a section of residents said that Kiraitu will give other contestants a run for their money.

Meru, Tharaka Nithi and Embu regions will be seeking to get a taste of power just like Kiambu, Nyeri and Murang’a.

Nakuru, Kirinyaga, Laikipia and Nyandarua will also be seeking to have one of their own rise to a powerful position.