Juja Constituency

Five women are among the latest entrants in the political wave gathering speed in an attempt to unseat Juja MP William Kabogo.

Their entry brings the number to 14 since the Nation profiled the constituency in April.

Four of the women politicians are newcomers and include former Thika deputy mayor Beatrice Wairimu, women’s leader Mary Kirika, businesswoman Eunice Gathigia Githua and Mrs Agnes Wangui Kibugu.

The fifth is Ms Alice Wambui Ng’ang’a, a young stone mining agent who declared her interest in the seat earlier than the rest.

A former Thika mayor, Mrs Mumbi Ng’aru, is yet to state her position although her name is being mentioned as a possible contender.

Declared earlier

Other candidates who had declared their interest earlier include former MP Stephen Ndicho, Citi Hoppa bus company chief executive George Thuo, businessman Dick Githaiga and Mr Francis Munyua Waititu.

Mr Charles Ng’ang’a Muchai, who contested the seat in 2002 on a Narc ticket and came second to Mr Kabogo, has indicated he will again give it a try, for the third time in a row.

Also vying is ODM-K activist David Nzioka, Nairobi-based medic Kiama Wangai and a social worker with the Anglican church, Mr Boniface Karanja.

Ms Wairimu, who works with a charitable organisation, was first elected to the municipal council in 1997 as councillor for Kianda Ward and went on to become deputy mayor.

After losing her civic seat in 2002 when the ward was merged with Mugumoi-ini, she went back to charity work. She will be seeking nomination on the Democratic Party, which is still a party of choice in Central Province.

Mrs Kirika is the Thika branch National Council of Women of Kenya chair and runs a private school in Thika town.

The retired teacher commands a big following of women groups throughout Juja and, by extension, Thika District and may use her influence to woo votes.

Party of choice

She has not declared her party of choice, but will be campaigning for President Kibaki whom she says has uplifted the welfare of women.

Mrs Githua, popularly known as Wakihoro, is a Nairobi-based trader from the populous Kahawa Sukari estate and has a wealth of experience in public life.

The retired career secretary has involved herself in community work through the PCEA church, where she holds a post.

Prospects for the split of the vast constituency with well over 150,000 registered voters could see a realignment of the candidates.

The talk of constituency split, whose fate is tied on a controversial Constitutional Bill to be tabled in Parliament, has created a lot of hope for some contenders who see it as a safe way of fulfilling their ambition to Parliament.

If this happens, the new constituencies could have Ndarugu river as the natural boundary. It would mean Thika municipality and Gatuanyaga locations to the northern side forms one constituency while the other be composed of Juja, Ruiru and Githurai in the southern part.

Mr Kabogo, who hails from Ruiru division, would be comfortable in either of the two areas but has vowed to move to the northern part where he apparently enjoys more support.

In such a case, the MP would have to fight it out with fellow giants like Mr Thuo, Mr Ndicho and Mr Githaiga, all of whom command a big following in Thika municipality.

This would leave race for the constituency in the southern zone to be fought by Mr Waititu better known as “Wakapee”, Ms Ng’ang’a, Mrs Githua, Mrs Kibugu and Mr Muchai.