A youthful candidate from Murang’a county, sponsored by the little known People’s Empowerment Party has surprised many after clinching the Gaturi ward representative seat in the just concluded by-elections.
Esther Mwihaki defeated the ruling party Jubilee candidate, Rosemary Wakuthie among other seven contenders by garnering 3,974 votes.
Wakuthie who served as area MCA between 2013 and 2017 garnered 3, 423 and was followed by Zablon Mwangi of Narc Kenya with 1, 024 votes.
The returning officer Faith Mugo handed over a certificate to Mwihaki as she appreciated the people of Gaturi for engaging in peaceful elections.
Mugo said the turnout was about 50 percent saying the ward has 18, 834 registered voters.
Mwihaki crossed over to the People’s Empowerment Party which is associated with Gatundu South MP, Moses Kuria after she was defeated by Wakuthie in the Jubilee party primaries.
“I would like to thank the people of Gaturi for giving me this opportunity to represent them in the remaining time of the term. I also laud members of my family for supporting me in the campaigns,” said Mwihaki after she was declared the winner.
The seat was left vacant last September after the death of Kiiru Membe Mwangi who had also been elected as an independent candidate in 2017.
Other candidates who participated in yesterday’s by-election included Jacob Murira of the Young Democratic Party who garnered 235 votes, John Muchoki of Maendeleo Chapa Chap (165) and Simon Njogu of United Green Movement (130). Total votes casted were 9,107.
By Bernard Munyao
