DCP Ol-Kalau candidate Sammy Kamau Waweru and Nyandarua Senator John Methu during the campaign trail over the weekend.
By Charles Kinyua
As the highly intensive Ol Kalau by election campaigns come to a close today, some politicians’ careers may here after shine brighter while others dim and yet others get totally extinct.
The parliamentary by-election is not like any other even as it stands alone unlike past ones that have been held together with civic ones.
The stakes are so high that it’s being viewed as a rehearsal for next year’s General Elections with President William Ruto determined to prove that he still has a from grip on the political pulse of the mountain.
On the other hand his former deputy, Rigathi Gachagua and party leader of the highly vibrant DCP has vowed to extinguish the ruling party UDA in the area like a tin lamp in a windy night.
Conspicuously missing in action is Gachagua’s successor Kithure Kindiki as the ruling party’s torch is jointly born by senior presidential advisor Moses Kuria and Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri leading over four cabinet secretaries, eight PSs and a host of senior government officials.
On the other hand, Riggy G has entrusted the high octane campaigns to Nyandarua Senator John Methu who is also the DCP acting Secretary General and fiery Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia who has been found guilty of alleged inciteful utterances by IEBC.
Almost all legislators from central have been to Ol Kalou drumming up support for DCP’s Sammy Kamau Waweru or UDA’s Samwel Nyaga with the exception of a few led by Kiharu’s ever elusive Ndindi Nyoro.
Nyoro has been very vocal opposing the government’s economic policies but ever absent in parliament on critical voting days including Gachagua’s impeachment motion and this year’s Finance bill vote.
It is worth noting that his mentor and home county governor Irungu Kang’ata is as reclusive and never declares his political stand until the very tail end of electioneering.
On Friday he received a hot tongue lashing from DCP boss after he was reportedly intended to lead the Linda Mwanachi brigade to Ol Kalou yesterday though he had not liaised the parties that have candidates in the by-election.
Aside from the amorphous group he has not yet named his party of choice in defending his seat next year.
With Gachagua’s deliberate absence in Ol Kalau almost all gubernatorial, senatorial and parliamentary aspirants have pitched camp in he constituency doing what all loyal soldiers should do for their general.
One conspicuous absentee is Solomon Maina Muriithi from Mathira and who was ejected from Wamunyoro last month as the party leader hosted aspirants from the region.
Of note is that he’s a blossom friend and business partner of the Kiharu legislator.
Impeccable sources intimated to the Mt Kenya Times that his companies have stalled road projects in Nyandarua and the system would not want him anywhere near the highly charged constituency.
Other sources say that the DCP party boss had given firm instructions to the party head office not to let Solo register but some unscrupulous offices got their palms greased and allowed him in a month ago.
Gachagua is said to have been infuriated by Muriithi’s betrayal and joining hands with his tormentors though he had secured him an appointment as the KTDA (MS) chairman; an appointment that expired a few months ago.
All other aspirants for the Mathira seat including the incumbent Eric Wamumbi have pitched camp in Ol Kalau. Others are DCP’s Peter Githinji Tropical, Dominic Muraya and Daniel Kiige as well as their foot soldiers.
Gubernatorial aspirant Gichuki Mugambi, his sènatorial counterpart King’ori Wanjohi, George Mwangi Box of Nyeri Town and Othaya’s Antonito Gitonga and Edmund Kimaru have constantly stamped their presence.
Legislators John Kaguchia, Geoffrey Wandeto and Kanini Kega have recently gotten temporary homes in the constituency among many other political players.
After the Thursday election, many political careers including those of president William Ruto and his former deputy Rigathi Gachagua will end either more polished or seriously dented.
The outcome though just a single constituency affair may turn out tobe a dress rehearsal of the August 10, 2027 general elections.
Similar Posts by The Mt Kenya Times:
- CS Ruku hits out at Gachagua, says he does not speak for Mount Kenya
- Ol Kalou and the road to 2027 general election
- Ruto leads the 2027 race—but is Kenya already deciding its next president?
- When goons guard democracy: Kenya’s ironic embrace of chaos
- Miano calls for peaceful final stretch as Ol Kalou by-election campaign enters final days
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