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The fortunes of official Opposition leader Uhuru Kenyatta in Gatundu South and the entire Central Province were dwindling even before he pulled Kanu out of ODM Kenya.

He made a final announcement at the weekend that the party would field its own candidates and hinted the possibility of fielding a presidential candidate in the December General Election.

Initially, there were indications he might not vie for presidency when he refused to submit his nomination papers to ODM-K. That indicated that he wanted to stay out of the State House race in favour of President Kibaki.

Mr Kenyatta has re-invented the wheel and he appears to be on course now than he was in April when the Nation featured the Gatundu South constituency profile.

Gatundu South is overwhelmingly in favour of President Kibaki’s re-election and the parties of choice are Narc Kenya and the Democratic Party.

Mr Kenyatta’s exit from ODM-K, an opposition party viewed by Gatundu South people and the entire Central Province as posing a threat to President Kibaki, has slightly changed his fortunes.

Nonetheless, 10 people, among them a woman, have ganged up to wrest the Gatundu South parliamentary seat from Mr Kenyatta.

Ms Salome Kimata is among the latest aspirants seeking, not only to oust Mr Kenyatta, but also block his first cousin Ngengi Muigai, who has declared his intention to make a comeback.

Leading the onslaught against the Kenyatta “dynasty” is a group of Narc-K loyalists, including former MP Moses Mwihia, businessman Kamita Gichuhi, agriculturist Kiongo Njuguna of the Coffee Research Foundation, Mr Boniface Kagochi and Ms Kimata.

A United Nations consultant and former civic leader Charles Ngugi Mbugua, who is the Liberal Democratic Party branch chairman, is also in the race.

Joined the fray

Former Uhuru ally Zachary Mukui and evangelist Isaac Gitangu of the Agano Party have also joined the fray.

They are promising to give the leader of Official Opposition a run for his money.

Mr Kenyatta may find the going rather tough, unlike the previous time when his stature as Kanu’s presidential candidate boosted his chances and ensured he captured the Gatundu seat easily.

He still enjoys support locally and the fight to wrest the seat from him may be a herculean task.

The aspirants are yet to decide whether or not to back one candidate to oppose Mr Kenyatta.

In the recent Narc-K elections, four of them combined forces to lock out Mr Muigai for the party branch leadership and made sure their allies took all the posts.

Mr Muigai, who is the Saba Saba Asili secretary-general, has not made it clear whether he will seek nomination on his party, but all indications are that his heart is in the flower party and is likely to go for the ticket.

If he does so, then the nomination promises to be a bruising battle between him and at least five other contenders including Mr Mwihia, Mr Gichuhi, Mr Njuguna, Mr Mukui and Ms Kimata.

Mr Muigai, who was elected to Parliament after the death of founding President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta and represented the greater Gatundu constituency between 1978 and 1988, is seen as one of the most formidable challengers to Mr Kenyatta.

He has established a working relationship with various Government ministries and as a result sourced funding for various projects including electricity, water and health.

This has often put him on a collision course with the incumbent, leading to frequent and bitter public exchanges between them and among their supporters.

Mr Kenyatta will have to fight off claims by his detractors of abandoning his constituents in his earlier quest for the presidency, which saw him traverse the entire country in a bid to popularise himself.

But more specifically, those seeking to oust him are of the view that the Kenyatta family has had more than its fair share in as far as representing the constituency is concerned.

They argue that it is time leadership went to people outside the “royalty”.

Neglected area

Mr Gichuhi, himself a former Uhuru ally, claims the MP has neglected the area and left the CDF to be managed by his close relatives.

His sentiments are shared by Mr Mbugua, another former associate of the legislator who also charges that there is “nothing to show for the many years the Kenyatta family has dominated Gatundu politics.”

Mr Mbugua, who claims to have initiated Uhuru into politics, says the MP will find the going tough as he has allegedly lost grassroots support.

Ms Kimata is the executive director of United Disability Empowerment in Kenya, a non-governmental organisation based in Nairobi.

She worked as the IT manager for United Tours Company before resigning to establish the NGO. She hails from Ndarugu Location and is a relative of Mr Mukui.

Ms Kimata has been involved in community work through church groups and is a campaigner for empowerment of women and the youths.

She becomes the first woman ever to eye a parliamentary seat in Gatundu District.

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.

A 21-year-old school leaver is seeking to unseat assistant minister for Agriculture Patrick Kariuki Muiruri.

He is among the three latest aspirants eying the Gatundu North seat. Seven other contestants had way back confirmed their interest.

It will be a monumental task for Mr Kabue Ng’ang’a who sat his KCSE examination last year at Kairi Secondary School.

He is out to make history of sorts by being the youngest person ever to seek a parliamentary seat in the greater Thika and Kiambu districts.

He joins Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) lecturer Vincent Gichuru Gaitho and retired Inter-governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) official Gerald Mbuthia as the latest entrants.

It promises to become the most bruising battle against the well entrenched Mr Muiruri who knows when to shift political alliances when it suits him.

Others who had earlier declared interest include a farmers’ crusader, Mr Muchiri W’Njuguna, former Dagoretti MP, Mr Clement Gachanja, an accountant, Mr Kigo Njenga, a Thika-based advocate, Mr John Ngaruiya Kirori, a former area MP, Mr Kamuiru Gitau, an engineer, Mr Mukora Wakimani and a social worker, Mr Kung’u Waibara.

A 2002 loser, Mr Nahashon Ngugi Gatarwa, who is in remand facing a murder case in connection with the 2005 death of Mr Muiruri’s political ally Peter Ndung’u (“Gadaffi”) is also being mentioned as a possible contender.

But his candidature will depend whether the case it will be concluded in time before the elections due in December.

A senior officer in the ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, Mr David Nduati Kigochi, is still weighing his options but will be fielding candidates elsewhere through his newly registered Farmers Party.

The youthful Mr Kabue will be banking on support from the tea growing community owing to his association with Mr Gatarwa who is a former Mataara Tea Factory chairman and key arch-rival of Mr Muiruri.

Mr Gaitho, who is also making a debut in politics, has been involved in community activities such as tree planting and youth empowerment programmes.

He is of the view that the incumbent has not done much for the people of Gatundu North and promises to turn around development through proper use of CDF kitty.

Mr Mbuthia, who is a former IGAD director for economic co-operation, is no stranger to Gatundu North. He has been working with various groups as part of his campaign strategy.

Issues of agriculture, particularly the controversial merger of coffee factories spearheaded by the MP, will feature in the campaigns along with tea and dairy farming.

However, the MP professes to have one of the best managed CDF projects and challenges anyone with a different opinion to prove otherwise.

Konoin 2002 election results

Sammy Koech (Kanu) 9,503
Raphael Kitur (SDP) 8,131
Peter Bett (Narc) 4,567
Rono Cheruiyot (Ford-P) 1,345
Mr Ngeny

Konoin residents, just like those in neighbouring constituencies in Kipsigis region are gearing up for change.

The constituents, most of them labourers in tea farms, say they had for long been short-changed by Kanu. However, most are singing the ODM Kenya song.

MP Sammy Koech, who won the seat in 2002 on a Kanu ticket, is set for a repeat fight with former legislator Raphael Kitur.

Also in the race is Mrs Borneice Soi, the widow of farmer Kimetet Soi. She is so far the only woman aspirant.

Those in race

Others include former assistant minister Joshua Terer, Mr Ronald Ngeny, Prof Wilson Toweett, Mr Andrew Rono, Mr Vincent Bett, Mr David Koskei, Mr Andrew Langat, Mr Charles Langat, Dr Julius Kones and Mr Samson Menjo Mosonik.

Konoin is a multi-ethnic constituency, with sizeable populations from Western and Nyanza provinces. The dominant community is however the Kipsigis.

Almost three quarters of land in Konoin is planted with tea. The big farms are owned by multinational firms while small-scale growers are the locals.

The majority of those from neighbouring provinces are mainly casual labourers in the tea farms.

Mrs Soi, a retired assistant primary schools inspector, could pull a surprise since she is the only woman in the race.

Her husband was a renowned figure in the area. Mrs Soi could therefore tap into her husband’s goodwill and is certainly no-pushover.

If Konoin people’s resolve to vote for change stands, then Mrs Soi could tilt the scales.

Mr Koech won the seat on a Kanu ticket after defeating Mr Kitur at the party’s nomination stage.

Mr Kitur then defected and vied on a Social Democratic Party ticket, coming second to Mr Koech.

After one term

Except for Mr Nathaniel Chebelyon who served two terms, voters have a habit of sending home an MP only after one term.

Mr Koech will have broken the jinx if he wins a second term.

Mr Chebelyon was returned in 1992 on sympathy votes after he lost the seat in 1989 when he and Cabinet minister John Koech were expelled from the high-handed Kanu of the time.

Supporters give Mr Koech credit for proper use of CDF which, they say, has gone a long way in improving road network in the area. His CDF initiative has seen the establishment and improvement of secondary and primary schools, health centres and tea buying facilities.

The CDF money has been fairly disbursed especially among needy students. The MP has also been holding harambees to raise funds for students going for higher education.

Award tenders

The only criticism, like elsewhere in the country, is that he selected only his friends to the CDF management committee.

He is further accused of influencing the award of tenders for the rural road construction in the constituency through single sourcing.

But the MP denies the allegations, including that of interfering with the administration officials who question how the CDF tenders were awarded.

Mr Koech often tables documents to show that the CDF kitty is well managed.

Mr Kitur, is a large-scale tea farmer. Close to 2,000 tea pickers work for him.

His nickname is chibesa, meaning money, due to the immense financial resources he puts in his campaigns.

He is expected to have established where he went wrong in 2002 to lose to Mr Koech. His critics say he should tone down his language during campaigns to endear himself to the people.

Heavy spending

The politician who is known to spare no efforts and resources to win. Mr Kitur defeated Mr Chebelyon in the 1997 elections. His tenure is most remembered for numerous harambees, to which he invited prominent personalities.

He was instrumental in the construction of Koiwa sub-district hospital .

He is also remembered for the harambees he organised for health centres, schools, churches and water projects at a time when there was no CDF.

Through the same harambees, he raised funds for students seeking university education.

Mr Ngeny is a close ally of Mr Raila Odinga. The ODM Kenya presidential aspirant commands some influence among the non-Kipsigis communities.

Mr Andrew Langat, who is the chairman of Ndege Chai Sacco Ltd, is also in the race.

He was for many years a manager with James Finlay Company and this might give mileage among tea pickers. He should know the voting patterns in tea estates.

He is best known for properly managing the savings and credit cooperative society, which has retained position one in its category in the country for five years in a row.

Workers in the tea farms could give him support as he has assisted a lot in terms of education of their children using his position in the Sacco.

He is also known for compassion and this endears him to voters.

Sufficient influence

Mr Charles Langat is eyeing the Narc Kenya ticket although the flower party is yet to gain sufficient influence in the constituency.

Mr Bett is a teacher at Kericho Day Secondary School while Dr Kones is a university lecturer.

Mr Mosonik is an engineer and a director of Mogogosiek Tea Factory. He has the resources to enable him mount a formidable campaign and give his opponents a stiff competition.

Being an engineer, he has already embarked on a plan to start a small hydroelectric project from Kipsonoi river.

Influential father

This, he says, would power the factory, and thus reduce electricity costs.

The power project, he says, could be expanded in future to supply electricity to the surrounding areas.

He has the support of his influential father, Mr William Mosonik, who used to work for retired President Moi.

It remains to be seen who among the aspirants, most of who are wealthy, will play their cards well and win the Konoin seat.

The race for Keiyo South seat is crowded with 19 so far intent on outing long-serving MP Nicholas Biwott. Initially, each of the 19 had said they would go it alone. But their determination to curtail Mr Biwott’s dominance of the constituency politics since 1979 has seen them unite ahead of the election.

Their agreement came only weeks after Mr Biwott lost a court battle for the control of Kanu. He had sought to wrest the chairmanship from Mr Uhuru Kenyatta. The two rivals have since held discussions in an attempt to bury their differences.

The self-proclaimed Total Man — once the most powerful Cabinet minister in the Moi administration — has never faced stiff opposition in his constituency.

High commissioner

But last Saturday, his opponents made what they called the “Chepkorio declaration” under which they proposed to unite. The meeting was led by Mr Biwott’s arch-rival, Mrs Tabitha Seii, who has quit her job as Kenya’s high commissioner to South Africa to contest the seat.

However, the group did not name the party under which they would field a candidate.

The declaration was made in the presence of another aspirant, Mr John Kibet Kamar, brother of former East African Assembly MP Margaret Kamar. Prof Kamar is Mr Biwott’s wife.

The meeting was in Mr Kamar’s stronghold - Chepkorio Division - which also has a high number of registered voters.

Other aspirants at the meeting were Nairobi businessman Micah Kigen, former National Irrigation Board managing director Barnabas Bargoria and councillor George Changwony.

Also present were Eldoret-based lawyer Sawe Kipkemoi, businessman Willy Kibet Chekieng, former Tana River Development Authority boss Moses Changwony, Ms Sally Matingoi, businesswoman Rael Limo and Mr Jackson Tanu. Mr Kigen said there were eight other hopefuls who were working with the team.

Prepare for battle

Mrs Seii said: “Divisions have been our main undoing but this time round we shall unite and support one candidate to bring liberation to our people.”

But Mr Biwott has told his opponents to prepare for a tough battle as he was ready to face any of them. He said the high number of candidates lining up against him were evidence of the democratic space Kenya enjoys.

However, his status in Kanu could be bothering the MP following the recent court decision to recognise the Kenyatta-led team as legitimate party officials.

The ruling marked the end of a legal battle which started after Mr Kenyatta and his team were alleged to have been ousted at a Kanu delegates meeting in Mombasa.

Mr Biwott has set conditions for returning to Kanu, including one requiring Kanu to de-link itself from ODM Kenya.

ODM-K is, however, considered to have wide support in Keiyo District, a factor Mr Biwott’s opponents are likely to capitalise on in their bid to oust him.

In their campaigns, they are citing increased poverty, declining academic standards and lack of proper leadership.

Mrs Seii said: “The Keiyo community has never enjoyed socio-economic and political liberation.”

The area is divided into the lower belt and the highland with more than 48,000 voters. Chepkorio and Metkei divisions have the largest number of people.

Land, infrastructure, agriculture and lack of employment opportunities are some of the key factors that will feature in the campaigns.

Political tactician

One of the advantages that Mr Biwott enjoys is that he is a political tactician known to change alliances when it suits him.

His opponents have not shown how they intend to pick their candidate but Mr Biwott is capable of infiltrating the group and scuttling its plans.

The group has vowed to hold joint rallies to popularise their idea before deciding who to support.

Mr Kamar said the era of divide and rule tactics was long gone and the Keiyo community needed participatory leadership to spur development.

Some of the aspirants are capitalising on a volatile issue of land compensation in the Kerio Valley where more than 1,000 families have been waiting for alternative land.

The families gave up their land to pave the way for flouspar mining in the 1970s but have never been compensated. Some voters are convinced that Mr Biwott is seeking his last term in Parliament and, to achieve this, they expect him to fight long and hard against his opponents.

New political realignments are shaping up in Magarini constituency after MP Harrison Garama Kombe survived an attempt to wrest the seat from him in a by-election two months ago.

Mr Kombe is preparing for an encounter with Mr Julius Daraka Mbuzi, who petitioned against his election in 2002 and won.

Mr Mbuzi, a retired area chief who is now the personnel manager of Krystaline Salt Company, announced he is in the race after staying out in the May 14 by-election.

He came into the limelight during a four-year court battle which was concluded early this year, sending off Mr Kombe only for him to bounce back in the by-election.

Although he opted to stay out in the by-election, he told the media then: “I am there in a big way during the December General Election.”

Mr Kombe is unlikely to get the Government backing he enjoyed in the by-election.

Government ministers using State resources, some contenders claim, assisted Mr Kombe win the seat. Narc Kenya even withdrew its candidate in favour of Mr Kombe.

Given the current political mood prevailing in Coast Province where some voices in Shirikisho Party are distancing themselves from Narc-K, it would appear that each candidate would have to fight his/her own battle.

Besides Mr Mbuzi, the MP will be facing a swelling crowd of newcomers and old guard. The number has risen to 20, up from 10 during the May 14 by-election.

Real battle

The old guard include three former MPs – Mr David Noti Kombe, who is a born-again Christian, Mr Katana Nzai and Mr Joseph Kasena Yeri.

Another aspirant is Mr Amason Jefwa Kingi of ODM Kenya, who was second in the by-election.

Others are Mr Peter Ziro, Mr Jeremiah Kazungu, Pastor James Ngala, Mr Willy Mure, Mr Ali Ahmed Maamun Akaku, Mr Stephen Taura, Mr Peter Kafwihi and Ms Lucy Muthoni Ng’ang’a.

But the real battle is expected to pit Mr Kombe, Mr Kingi, a Kenyan of Italian origin Mr Franco Esposito alias Kasoso wa Baya, who came third in the by-election, a university student, Mr Samuel Nzai, and former MP Noti Kombe.

Abandoned midway

Mr Kombe (MP) has to fight hard to retain the seat that he almost lost when Mr Mbuzi successfully petitioned his 2002 election.

Critics say the MP’s performance record has not been outstanding. They claim the CDF kitty has been used to start many projects which have been abandoned midway.

However, it should be remembered that Mr Kombe comes from two large clans – Mwakombe and Mwangari – which have dominated Magarini politics since independence.

Voting in Magarini has in the past been based on clan alliances. But the danger ahead is that five candidates – Mr Yeri, the two Nzais and the Kombes – all come from the two big clans. This could split the votes and deny them victory.

The split could help the candidates from smaller clans – Mr Kingi, Mr Ziro, Mr Kazungu and Pastor Ngala – to take the seat.

Changed his mind

Mr Esposito, who after losing in the by-election declared he would not contest again, has changed his mind.

The businessman promises to tackle the perpetual problems of water and poverty if elected.

Mr Kingi says his priority will be to bring “broader effective leadership” that he believes has lacked in the area for more than 43 years.

He regrets that since independence, the residents have been, and are still, struggling to get basic necessities such as clean piped water, food and infrastructure.

Shirikisho Party of Kenya has spread its wings in the entire Coast Province and could play a role in Magarini politics.

But ODM-K, which is still basking in the 2005 national referendum victory, has grown stronger and appears to be ahead of Narc-K.

Issues that will feature in the campaigns include poverty which, according to last year’s Kenya Demographic Index, stands at over 80 per cent.

The area lacks clean water despite Baricho pumping system that serves Mombasa North having been channelled through the area.

Residents of Bungale, Dagamra, Kamale and areas north of Marafa have never seen tap water, 44 years after independence. Infrastructure is poor, with most feeder roads becoming impassable in rainy seasons.

Most parts of the constituency have no electricity although there is a power line on the Malindi-Lamu highway that cuts through the constituency, connecting electricity to the neighbouring Garsen constituency in Tana River District.

Though Magarini hosts all the nine salt manufacturing industries in the country, this has not made any impact on the area’s development.

Land issue remains explosive. Lands minister Kivutha Kibwana visited the area recently and announced the revocation of title deeds in the settlement areas.

Mr Kombe is known for giving a free hand to his CDF team and the constituency has received more than Sh100 million since it was established in 2003.

Part of it has been used to set up dispensaries and health centres in Marafa and Gongoni locations as well as constructions of classrooms in schools.

Mr Esposito is a space engineer of Italian origin who came to the country in the 1960s to manage the San Marco satellite launching centre at Ngomeni.

He has been the kingmaker in the past, providing resources to potential candidates who have become area MPs.

His ambition, he says, is to bring change and a different kind of leadership altogether while giving priority to water supply, education, infrastructure, health and economic empowerment.

Mr Kingi is a Mombasa-based lawyer, who lost in the last by-election. He is seen as one of the strongest challengers and is likely to contest on the ODM-K ticket.

Surprise winner

Mr Noti Kombe, who was MP between 1997 and 2002, has been a staunch Kanu member for a long time although he stood on Mr Cyrus Jirongo’s Kaddu party in the by-election. He could easily defect again and try to contest on the Kanu ticket.

Mr Yeri, a founder member of Shirikisho, is considered a politician of the past, although he commands some clout in the constituency.

However, politics being what it is, a surprise winner could emerge in this year’s election.

Magarini 2007 by-election results

Harrison Kombe (Shirikisho) 5,138
Amason Jefwa Kingi (ODM-K) 2,418
Franco Esposito (Kenda) 2,286
Samuel Nzai (Narc) 1,914
David Noti Kombe (Kaddu) 1,035
Jillo Onotto (Safina) 325
Peter Ziro (RDK) 220
Jeremiah Kazungu (RAP) 124
Pastor Shida Ngala ( ) 75
Lucy Muthoni Ng’ang’a (YDP) 35

Registered voters 42,478

Seven aspirants have joined forces in their bid to break the Nyagah family’s 50-year hold on Gachoka constituency. However, they are among 18 hopefuls out to wrest the seat from one of the Nyagahs.

The seven, who met in Kiritiri market at the weekend, claim to have the community’s approval to pick one of the 18 to oppose the incumbent, Mr Joe Nyaga. The MP is the first born of Mr Jeremiah Nyagah, who represented the area between 1957 and 1992.

Matatu association

The seven are Nairobi-based accountant David Muchungu, engineer Boniface Gikuya, national organising secretary of the Matatu Owners’ Association Henry Kivuti, social development consultant Juma Magara, Gachoka Ford People chairman Frederick Kivuti Kiverenge, businessman Nthiga Mwaniki and Mavuria councillor Nduma Minigi, who is also the group’s chairman.

They invited the other 11 hopefuls to join them and bring a change in the area’s leadership.

According to the group, their previous attempts to oust the Nyagah family failed because aspirants entered the election campaigns divided.

They said that during the Nyagah family’s domination of politics in the area, education and other social development programmes stagnated as neighbouring areas progressed.

The family first won the seat in 1957 when Jeremiah Nyagah was elected to the Legislative Council (Legco). He was in Kenyatta Cabinet after Independence and continued to be re-elected until 1992 when he passed the baton to son Norman Nyagah, now the Government Chief Whip and MP for Kamukunji in Nairobi.

Norman, who was then in the Democratic Party, did not defend his Gachoka seat in 1997 and instead moved to Kamukunji. He left the Gachoka seat for his brother Joe, who won on a Kanu ticket in 1997 and retained (narrowly) on a Narc ticket in 2002.

In 1997, it was widely believed that Norman’s shift to Kamukunji was a tactical family move to give Joe an easy ride to Parliament.

At the weekend, the seven leaders accused the Nyagah family of failing to use their positions in Government to lobby for goodies for their community.

According to them, the family has been blocking development initiatives in the area. Although the semi arid constituency hosts the biggest hydroelectric power dams in Kenya, most of it does not have piped water or electricity.

But Mr Joe Nyaga, who is also an ODM-Kenya presidential aspirant, says it is not his fault that God had chosen his family to lead Gachoka. According to him, all leaders were chosen by God.

“As a man who believes in God and the Bible, I believe that it is Him who chose my father, my brother and myself to lead Gachoka people and it is Him who will determine when my family should move from the scene,” he said.

On criticism that Gachoka had a water shortage, the MP said that in the last five years he had overseen the building of 36 dams using CDF funds and donations from well-wishers.

The biggest market in the constituency, Kiritiri, will soon have piped water at a cost of Sh60 million.

He said through his initiatives, Karaba market was connected to electricity while another Sh34 million electrification project was under way.

Still, he has to contend with criticism that he had been disrespectful to President Kibaki.

His opponents said they would mobilise Mbeere District’s 100,000 voters for the President.

The seven said they would soon hold a series of meetings before a final rally at Kiritiri where they will ask the public to endorse one of them to face Mr Nyaga.

‘Fifty-year dynasty’

They were optimistic that the remaining 11 candidates — who did not join them at the weekend rally — would be teaming up with them to craft what they called the end to “the fifty-year dynasty”.

They also resolved to extend a hand of friendship to the Kamba community in Mwea area of the constituency.

The group alleged that the family was previously winning by importing voters from neighbouring Embu, Kirinyaga and Murang’a districts.

The seven said electoral decisions on the constituency should be left to Gachoka people and warned “outsiders” who had registered at St Luke’s, Iriaitune and Rianjeru polling stations that they would not be allowed to vote this time round.