Mt Kenya politicians jostle for a piece of Uhuru's JAP

Kiambu Governor William Kabogo awards top Kenya Certificate of Primary Educations (KCPE) pupils in Githunguri township primary school who have now joined high schools Edmud Munene and Michelle Wanjiru while looking on is the school head teacher Mrs. Elizabeth Maina. [PHOTO BY JOHN KARUME/STANDARD]

Kiambu, Kenya: The emergence of the Jubilee Alliance Party (JAP) as President Uhuru Kenyatta's choice vehicle for the 2017 General Election has elicited frenzied reaction from various political aspirants in the Mt Kenya region.

Political actors are jostling for positions yet to be created in the party while some are already sending signals on the seats they will vie for on JAP tickets come 2017.

A good example is in Kiambu County where JAP candidate in the Kabete parliamentary by-election Ferdinand Waititu has vowed to unseat Governor William Kabogo in 2017.

Mr Kabogo has hit back declaring Waititu as a puppet and a political reject out to resurrect his sinking political career.

Also in the gubernatorial race is former Lari MP Peter Mwathi who has opened a JAP office in Kiambu town. His candidature has however, been shadowed by the exchanges between Kabogo and Waititu. All the three will be eying the JAP ticket for the seat.

A similar scenario is expected in various counties and constituencies in Central Kenya, among them Nyeri, Embu, Meru, Laikipia and Tharaka Nithi.

Politicians in these regions have given themselves titles as JAP branch officials even though JAP interim Vice-Chairman David Murathe reiterated that the party had no branch officials. According to Murathe, anybody opening offices is "just another enthusiastic member."

not alone

On Sunday, Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua announced that he will abandon his party, the Grand National Union for JAP.

Mr Gachagua is not alone. Nyeri TNA chairman Thuo Mathenge, who unsuccessfully contested the Nyeri gubernatorial seat, is among leaders expected to join JAP while it is in the public domain that he is a critic of Gachagua.

Another Gachagua critic, former Mathira MP Ephraim Maina is also eyeing JAP.

Wambugu Nyamu, who claims to be the Nyeri JAP chairman, said his team is working tirelessly to ensure all leaders are brought on board.

"We are wooing them into the party without any discrimination. We are targeting MPs, Senator, MCAs and every interested persons," Mr Nyamu said at St Peter's Kabiruini Catholic Church in Mathira where Gachagua also called on all residents to join JAP.

Nyamu said the conflicts can only be avoided if the leaders and the party secretariat resolve to hold free, fair and peaceful nominations.

On Sunday, Gachagua said he incurred huge expenses in 2013 when he was campaigning for the gubernatorial position, with Nyamu noting that leaders who go against the grain by campaigning in less popular parties will suffer the same fate.

Former Co-operatives Development Minister Njeru Ndwiga, who claims to be the Embu JAP chairman, said if nominations are well co-ordinated, the likelihood of opposing candidates joining other parties will not be there.

In Embu, Runyenjees MP Cecily Mbarire is seen as interested in Martin Wambora's seat, creating a sort of rivalry simillar to another one in neighbouring Tharaka Nithi where Chuka Igambangombe MP Muthomi Njuki has an icy relationship with Governor Samuel Ragwa whom it is believed he will challenge in 2017.