By WMW
Former Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) chairman and Nyeri gubernatorial aspirant Eng. Wangai Ndirangu is positioning sports development, agricultural reforms and urban planning at the centre of his 2027 campaign agenda, as he seeks to rally residents around what he describes as a plan to restore Nyeri’s lost greatness.
In a series of policy statements and campaign messages, the engineer and former public official has outlined proposals aimed at reviving Nyeri’s sporting heritage, modernising agriculture, reorganising urban centres and building a more diversified county economy.
Beyond sports, Wangai is also making agriculture a central pillar of his campaign, arguing that Nyeri farmers continue to suffer exploitation despite the county’s strong production of coffee, tea, dairy and horticultural products.
He has proposed expanding use of the Warehouse Receipt System (WRS), a mechanism that allows farmers to store produce in certified warehouses and use warehouse receipts to access financing while waiting for better market prices.
The aspirant says the system would help eliminate distress selling and strengthen farmers’ bargaining power.
“I am one of the architects of the Warehouse Receipt System in Kenya. Now I am bringing it home to modernise Nyeri’s agriculture and end exploitation of our farmers,” he said.
He also advocates adopting cooperative principles similar to those used by the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA), where farmers aggregate production, processing and marketing collectively to maximise returns.
Agriculture experts have increasingly supported warehouse receipt systems in Kenya as part of broader reforms aimed at reducing post-harvest losses and improving market access for small-scale farmers.
Wangai’s campaign also focuses heavily on urban renewal and planning, citing congestion, disorganised markets and inadequate infrastructure in major towns across the county.
His proposals include development of modern zoning plans, construction of organised parking bays and transport stages, modernisation of markets, relocation of roadside traders into structured trading spaces and upgrading drainage systems, roads, lighting and pedestrian walkways.
He has also pledged to digitise county service delivery systems to improve accountability and ensure residents receive value for taxes paid.
At the broader economic level, Wangai says Nyeri must move from being primarily a producer of raw agricultural commodities to a county that processes, packages and brands its products locally.
He argues that value addition industries would create jobs, increase household incomes and keep more economic benefits within the county.
At the heart of his message is a strong appeal to Nyeri’s rich athletics history, which he says has not received the recognition or investment it deserves.
“People talk about Iten and Eldoret, but let the record show what Nyeri has produced,” Wangai said while highlighting some of Kenya’s most celebrated athletes who hail from the county.
Among them is marathon legend Catherine Ndereba, popularly known as “Catherine the Great,” who won four Boston Marathon titles, two World Championship gold medals and two Olympic silver medals. Wangai also cited former world 10,000 metres champion Charles Kamathi, who famously defeated Ethiopian icon Haile Gebrselassie at the 2001 World Championships.
Other athletes mentioned include Commonwealth Games gold medalist Lucy Wangui Kabuu, pioneer Olympian Mary Wacera Wanjiku, Joseph Gikonyo and Berlin Marathon winner Joseph Ngolepus.
Wangai argues that despite producing elite athletes and national volleyball players over the years, Nyeri has not fully invested in sports infrastructure and talent development systems comparable to those in the Rift Valley region.
To address this, he proposes establishing a “Nyeri Talents Academy” to identify and nurture sporting talent from grassroots levels across constituencies including Mukurweini, Mathira, Kieni, Tetu, Othaya and Nyeri Town.
The proposed programme would focus on early talent identification, mentorship, high-altitude training and structured athlete development pathways linked to schools and professional sports networks.
Sports analysts note that Kenya’s athletics success has traditionally been concentrated in regions with organised talent development systems, training camps and strong institutional support, particularly in Iten and Eldoret.
As political activity gradually intensifies across Nyeri County, the emerging contest is expected to revolve around economic transformation, service delivery and leadership style, with aspirants increasingly unveiling issue-based campaigns targeting farmers, youth and urban voters.
Eng. Wangai is expected to battle it with among others, former Othaya MP Gichuki Mugambi, KALRO chairman Dr Thuo Mathenge, Gachara Kamanga, Nyeri Deputy Governor David Kinaniri Warui, businessman Kinyua Wanjohi Usikamake, Nyeri senator Wahome Wamatinga and Ambassador Peter Munyiri.
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