Ndiritu Muriithi in tough battle as former governor, three others eye seat

 Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Muriithi. [Boniface Gikandi, Standard]

Five candidates are battling for Laikipia governor's seat, including incumbent Ndiritu Muriithi.

Muriithi is defending the seat on a Jubilee Party ticket against former Governor Joshua Irungu (UDA), Irungu's former Deputy Governor Gitonga Kabugi (Narc Kenya), John Wakaba (independent) and Mburu Kamau (independent).  

Laikipia is the home of private wildlife conservancies visited by hundreds of foreign tourists. It is also a battleground for bandits specialised in livestock theft and is reputed for invading ranches in search of pasture and water during droughts.

Last year, chaos reigned in the county as armed pastoralists from Pokot, Baringo and Samburu counties invaded private ranches to graze their livestock. This forced the government to establish Kirima Sub-county to beef up security.

The county has 253,005 registered voters spread in the 15 electoral wards, with Igwamiti having 43,194 voters, where the battle is between Jubilee Party and UDA.

“In the past two years, through the county government equipment leasing programme (ESP), we have graded and gravelled 2,820km of roads and are eyeing another 7,000km between 2022 and 2027," said Governor Muriithi.

"In health, Laikipia Health Service (LHS) – a first for devolved units – was established and it seeks to elevate Rumuruti and Dol-Dol health facilities to level four status with plans to upgrade Nanyuki and Nyahururu referral hospitals to level five status."

Muriithi said a business promotion strategy by his government seeks to create additional 50,000 jobs and improve the living standards of the residents, mainly the youth.

The County Assembly launched a Sh1.5 billion infrastructure bond for the implementation of major programmes and the establishment of smart towns.

Francis Muraguri and Peter Muiruri, residents of Umande and Tigithi wards, said the leaders should focus more on water provision for both irrigation and domestic use, as many parts are feeling the devastating effects of climate change.

“Health has been a major concern, with most of the health facilities going without drugs as patients are directed to certain private facilities for treatment,” said Muraguri.

“This time, Laikipia requires a leader who will end the water problem by prioritising irrigation farming.”

He said farmers upstream have diverted rivers to their farms, leaving residents downstream with no water.

“We have complained for a long time but our cries have fallen on deaf ears,” said Muiruri.

Mary Wanjiru from Naibor says the government should work hard to beef up security in volatile areas.

“The security situation has been made worse by lack of good roads to be used by the police responding to alarms raised after livestock thefts in the villages,” said Wanjiru.

Muriithi said his administration is focusing on increasing water and fodder production, enhancing security, sports and arts, and Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

"There are plans to accelerate preventive care, nutrition education and enhance IT platform in the 89 health centres," he said.

Smart towns

The governor harps on the fact that he established 12 smart towns that he says have spurred growth and business opportunities.

“To ensure we increase our production for consumption and sale, we have recruited 100 agriculture officers spread across the county with vast knowledge in farming and animal husbandry," he said.

Roads in the towns of Nanyuki, Nyahururu, Rumuruti are currently being repaired after being neglected for for a long time.

He said in the first phase of the ESP programme, 22,000 jobs were created through innovation, with millions of shillings exchanging hands. The governor said he has also increased the fund providing loans to traders to Sh3.5 billion.

“A trader can get Sh20 million from Sh5 million to expand their business,” he said.

Muriithi said the county government jointly with Nanyuki Water and Sewerage Company (Nawasco) funded Solio and Makurian water projects serving the dry parts of Laikipia East and Laikipia North constituencies in efforts to end water shortage.

Irungu said he will work around health and sanitation, agriculture and value addition.

Other areas of interest are water provision and climate change, renewable energy as well as youth empowerment that will guide the growth of the county.

He said he will look into the establishment of livestock auction yards and slaughterhouses in the livestock-rich areas.

“The county administration will fund research on tropical diseases by establishing a model centre of research.

"My government will scale up water harvesting by providing water tanks to every household and institution. We will also build modern wholesale and retail markets in the towns,” said the former governor.

Wakaba said he is interested in supporting young people to get skills that will enable them secure employment. He also plans to build fertiliser factory in Mutara area at Sh100 million with development partners.

He pledged to construct a factory for the manufacture of tomato paste for the local and international markets, review trading taxes and lower water tariffs.

“Water, health, education and agriculture, which the past administrations have failed to address will be my core business,” said Wakaba, adding that he will construct valley dams to enhance water collection during rainy seasons.

He pledged to employ additional ECDE teachers as well as build more centres. 

Mburu pledged to settle squatters in public land if he is elected and allocate a budget for distribution of certified seeds and testing of soils to improve production.

“It is humiliating that Laikipia farms are vast but with little production, thus the need for certified seeds and subsidised fertilizers,” he said.

“Laikipia East region has the best soils for fruit farming and these need to be exploited, while the northern part will be dedicated for beef production for local and international markets."

Gitonga said water and health are critical issues that his administration will address to revamp Laikipia economically.

“I will focus on lowering business licences and water bills, and providing quality healthcare,” he said.

Laikipia has three constituencies of Laikipia East, Laikipia West and Laikipia North. Laikipia West has the highest number of voters and is the only one that has so far produced two governors Irungu and Muriithi. Mburu also comes from the constituency, while Gitonga and Wakaba hail from Laikipia East.

Political analysts say Laikipia North is likely to decide the winner, as it is the only constituency with no governor candidate. It is inhabited mainly by the Kikuyu, but with pockets of Meru, Turkana and other communities.

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