Heated campaigns for Murang’a governorship is expected to be witnessed in the county after eight individuals express their interest to take over after Governor Mwangi wa Iria finishes his tenure.
Among those who will be eying to clinch the seat include current political leaders who want to shift from current positions to be custodian of devolved funds.
Irungu Kang’ata, the Murang’a senator has indicated he will vie for the seat come 2022. Kang’ata served as Kiharu MP before ascending to senatorial position in 2017. The senator who has been removed as Jubilee majority whip in the Senate has claimed he will direct his efforts in wooing the locals to elect him as their next governor.
The County Woman Representative Sabina Chege is also said to be eyeing the same seat though she has not publicly declared so.Her supporters are out rallying locals to consider her for the seat. Chege intends to ride on scores of development projects she has been implementing especially among women groups.
The Woman rep who has vowed to stand with President Uhuru Kenyatta is among leaders in the county championing the Building Bridges Initiative which a section of leaders’ claim is not popular in Mount Kenya region.
Former Planning Principal Secretary Irungu Nyakera has announced he will go for gubernatorial seat next year.
For the last two years, Nyakere has been advocating for reforms in the tea sector which in recent past has suffered due to international fluctuation of prices.
Mr Nyakera has been meeting tea farmers every week educating them about the newly assented Tea Bill 2020 which is expected to change operations of tea farming in the country.
Speaking to farmers at Kangari township two weeks ago, Nyakera said tea reforms need to be put in place so farmers can get more returns from their cash crop.
Others in the list who want to be the next Murang’a governor include former Kigumo MP Jamleck Kamau, Philanthropist Stanley Kamau, Moses Mwangi who last election was floored by the current governor and rumours are rife that Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia is also in the race to succeed Governor Wairia.
In the last election, Jamleck Kamau failed to clinch the Jubilee ticket after he was defeated by Wa Iria. Kamau opted not to vie as an independent candidate but supported the will of people.
Stanley Kamau has been involved in various charitable works in the county. Kamau who is known for his tireless fight against jiggers will ride on various initiatives he has taken to uplift lives of less fortunate in the county.
Transport CS, Macharia may bank on increased tarmacked roads in the country to woo voters to give him an opportunity to lead the devolved government.
During his tenure as minister for transport, infrastructure, housing and urban development, many roads in Murang’a have been upgraded to bitumen standards enhancing transportation of people and goods.
Candidates for Senatorial seat are yet to come out but rumors are that Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro is among those willing to take over from Mr Kangáta.
Governor Wa Iria will be remembered for bringing changes in the dairy sector.Under his leadership, the county government established a dairy firm in Maragua area which saw milk prices shoot from Sh. 23 to more than Sh. 35 currently.
Other remarkable achievements include establishment of an Intensive care unit at Murang’a Level-5 hospital. The facility that was constructed in a record 21 days is louded for handling complicated health issues especially this time the country is faced by Covid-19 pandemic.
The devolved administration also established an Eye and Dental hospital at Kenol town in Murang’a south. The hospital is set up in a rental building.
by Bernard Munyao
