Women lobby launched as Kiambaa campaigns hot up

Deputy President William Ruto with Raymond Kuria in Karen. Kuria vacated his Kiambaa bid in support of 'Hustler Nation's' John Njuguna Wanjiku. [DPPS]

The race for the Kiambaa parliamentary seat has intensified with both Jubilee and United Democratic Alliance (UDA) exuding confidence of winning in the by-election slated for July 15.

On Saturday, a team for the ruling party traversed the constituency where they launched a women lobby group that will campaign for the party candidate Kariri Njama.

Led by party Secretary-General Raphael Tuju and Gender CAS Rachael Shebesh, the over 10 women legislators, among them Machakos Senator Agnes Kavindu, Gatundu North MP Wanjiku Kibe and Kasarani's Mercy Gakuya, called on Kiambu residents not embarrass President Uhuru Kenyatta and vote for Njama.

The team vowed to pitch tent in Kiambaa until Njama wins.

"We are not going to abandon our president at a time he needs us to support his legacy projects just because somebody else who has not even occupied that office is promising heaven on earth," Kibe said.

UDA, a party associated with Deputy President William Ruto, is seeking to outbox the ruling party in Kiambu, a county perceived as a Jubilee stronghold, ahead of the 2022 elections.

Left, Kiambu Deputy Governor Joyce Ngugi, Kiambaa Jubilee aspirant Kariri Njama and former Nairobi County Speaker Beatrice Elachi at Havilla Hotel, Ruaka on June 26, 2021. [Courtesy]

However, JP leadership led by party leader Raphael Tuju and a number of female legislators said the party has rolled out a well-oiled campaign strategy to ensure the party recaptures the seat.

"As a party, we are determined to retain the Kiambaa seat so as to continue with the development agenda initiated by the late Paul Koinange. The others are only interested in abusing our beloved President instead of selling their agenda," Tuju said.

The party recently lost a key figure Kiambu Woman Representative Gathoni wa Muchomba to UDA.

“We met with officials to map out strategies of popularising Njama's agenda on roads, education and poverty eradication for the people of Kiambaa and not the 2022 politics as our competitors are doing," he said.

Chief Administrative Secretary Rachael Shebesh took a swipe at politicians allied to UDA for attempting to wrestle Kiambaa from the ruling party's grip through propaganda.

“Kiambaa people cannot be auctioned to the highest political bidder. Ignore those luring you to vote UDA Party as they want to kill democracy to safeguard their personal interests. They are known to splash cash just pocket since it is your money from corruption dealings"  Shebesh told the crowd in Ruaka in Kiambaa.

The women campaign team christened Jubilee Women Caucus called on residents to support the Jubilee candidate as a sign of respect for President Uhuru Kenyatta.

On Thursday, UDA brigade, led by Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria, issued an ultimatum to those seeking to join the party to do so by September 1.