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Mbarire and Kivuti in early campaigns to succeed Wambora

BY KAMUNDIA MURIITHI

A calm that prevailed in the Embu political scene for over a year since Governor Martin Wambora was elected for his second and final term has now been broken by aspirants seeking to succeed him.

Nominated MP Cecily Mbarire and former Embu Senator Lenny Kivuti have announced their aspiration for the powerful Embu governorship position in 2022, albeit for a second time, after failing to clinch it in 2017.

The two are popular, influential and have a grassroots network that they will use to endear themselves to the voters.

Pundits expect that the duo have set the stage for other aspirants to commence series of activities that would popularise them for the elections due in 2022.

Ms Mbarire made the announcement recently while attending church at AIC Gategi in Mbeere South sub-county, where she also made a case for electing of female governors.

Ms Mbarire was in the race in 2017 but lost in the Jubilee Party primaries to Governor Martin Wambora.

She did not vie in the general elections, but was nominated to the National Assembly where she is the Deputy Chief Whip.

Kivuti, on the other hand, faced off with Wambora in the general elections but was trounced by a narrow margin of 985 votes.

He contested Wambora’s win arguing that there were election malpractices, but he lost at the Supreme Court.

Ms Mbarire says the passion she had to become the Embu governor that made her traverse the entire county is still burning.

“I campaigned in Gategi area and the electorate promised they would vote for me. They kept their words and I garnered 95 percent of the votes cast. Even though I didn’t win the nominations, I’m grateful that God had something else for me as a nominated MP. God’s time is the best and I will vie again in 2022,” she said.

Ms Mbarire had 15, 381 votes against Wambora’s 4,296 in Mbeere South sub-county but Wambora had a lead in upper Embu, eventually winning.

The MP explained for that reason she had decided to hold a thanksgiving in that church.

She praised the development record of her political mentor, Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu.

“Ngilu and the other women leaders have proved that they can improve the lives of their people and grow the economy of their regions. The Ndengu Revolution started by Ngilu is impacting on many people in Kitui,” she said.

Ms Mbarire promised to continue using her role as a parliamentarian to push for the development of the county, especially the completion of the tarmacking of the ring-road which passes through the four constituencies in the county.

She was accompanied by Mbeere South MP Geoffrey King’ang’i, Mwea MCA Harrison Mwaluko and nominated MCA Edna Muisyo.

Ms Mbarire and Kivuti seem to have adopted similar approaches of early campaigning where they attend services in different churches to endear themselves to the congregation.

After attending service at Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church recently, Kivuti declared he will be in the ballot in 2022 and urged the electorate to vote for him.

 “The Supreme Court has given its verdict. I will not say whether it is good or bad, but I have accepted it. I will support Wambora as he continues to serve the people for the remaining period of his term. In 2022 I will come and humbly seek for your votes,” he said.

Each of the two leaders has several MCAs and influential persons on their side who are campaigning for them.

On Kivuti’s side, Mbeti North MCA Peter Muriitthi has been the most vocal in endorsing Kivuti to the residents. Speculations are high that he is poising himself to become Kivuti’s running mate.

Mbogo Ngari, a political commentator, argues that the two are the persons to watch for in the race for the Embu governorship.

Other people expected to join the race as key contestants include Embu Deputy Governor David Kariuki, Manyatta MP John Muchiri and former transport permanent secretary Cyrus Njiru.

Ngari says Kivuti’s heavy financial muscle would enable him to reach every corner of the county is asset.

He adds that Mbarire as a suave politician could have the backing of key leaders from the county.

“Ms Mbarire has been at the forefront of lobbying to have National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi become Deputy President William Ruto’s running mate in 2022. Maybe that’s the only threat she sees in the race,” says Ngari.

Mbarire hails from the Embu subtribe which is more populous than the Mbeere subtribe where Kivuti comes from.

Ngari’s says the two subtribes form voting blocks that aspirants must try everything to get their support.