Senator Irungu Kang’ata is now the governor elect for Murang’a County after garnering 256, 561 votes.
Kang’ata who was vying on a UDA ticket was followed by Jamleck Kamau of Jubilee party who managed to get 91,164 votes.
Others in the race included former Water Principal Secretary Wairagu wa Maai who got 42,318 votes, Irungu Nyakera of Farmers Party – 21, 150 votes, Moses Mwangi (Safina) – 4, 370, Joseph Mbai of Usawa Kwa Wote-1, 605 and Henry Maina (independent) who got 1, 588.
Kang’ata started as a councilor in the defunct county council before he served as Kiharu MP between 2013 and 2017.
The youthful legislator was elected as Murang’a senator in 2017 where he replaced Kembi Gitura.
Results for the county seats were announced on Saturday by the county returning officer Saumu Chirchir.
In the seat of senator, an educationist Joe Nyutu of UDA emerged the winner after garnering 314, 203 votes beating his closest competitor Kembi Gitura of Jubilee party with more than 200, 000 votes.
Kembi got 72, 278 votes and was followed by Hellen Kigia (independent) who got 13, 402. Comfort Waitherero of KANU garnered 7, 689.
Former Director of Athi water Development Agency Betty Maina was announced winner of the county woman representative seat with a soaring 278, 443 votes.
Maina was followed by a media personality Everlyne Waithera Muithirania of Jubilee party who managed to get 111, 163 votes.
Fridah Muthoni (Independent) got 7, 733 and Beth Waithira who was also an independent candidate got 7, 075.
After receiving his certificate, the governor elect, Kang’ata, expressed gratitude to God and to his family for the astounding victory.
He further thanked the electorate for entrusting him with the important role and promised to deliver his promises to the people of Murang’a.
“Thank you so much for electing me to be your governor, now we shall go to work and make Murang’a one of the greatest counties in the country” he said, promising to focus on improving healthcare as well as agriculture.
He also said that his administration was going to be accessible to the people and that he was going to work respectfully with all elected leaders to serve the people.
The Senator elect, Nyutu, on his part, also thanked the electorate and vowed to play his oversight role as senator as mandated.
The Woman Member of National Assembly elect, Betty, also thanked the electorate for giving her a chance to represent them in parliament even though she is a new entrant into politics.
By Purity Mugo and Bernard Munyao
