Sabina Chege: Journalist with big dream, a strong believer in Raila’s presidency

Murang'a Women Representative Sabina Wanjiru Chege is one of the vocal leaders in the Mt. Kenya region and a potential candidate to be picked as Azimio la Umoja- One Kenya presidential candidate Raila Odinga's running mate.

Sabina has been at the forefront campaigning for Odinga and selling him out to the people of the mountain.

Two weeks ago, she announced she won't be defending her seat as the Woman Representative and that instead, she will focus on national politics.

She was also appointed to the Azimio coalition council and subsequently shortlisted for an interview for the running mate position.

Chege has climbed the political ladder since her first election as the Murang'a Women Representative in 2013 on a Jubilee party ticket.

In 2017, she vied again for the seat and won against her close competitor Waithira Muithirania who emerged second.

Unlike many legislators who don't get to hold positions when elected for the first time in parliament, Chege was made the chair of Education Parliamentary Committee and upon her re-election, she was at the helm of the Health Committee.

Holding these positions has seen her leadership star shine as she has always articulated the issues to perfection.

For the two terms she has been the Women Representative, she has been credited for various development projects in women empowerment, health and education with thousands of residents benefiting from them.

Chege has always been supporting the Jubilee government and always defended president Uhuru Kenyatta against the attack from his critics.

In the storm that hit the Jubilee party, there were speculations that she might side with the deputy president William Ruto as the two were close allies before the split. She however decided to stick with Jubilee and her loyalty seems to be paying off.

Chege has been touted to be one of the possible running mate for Odinga among other leaders including Martha Karua, Kalonzo Musyoka, Peter Kenneth, Peter Munya, Wycliffe Oparanya and Hassan Joho.

She is on record saying she is ready for this role should she be picked.

"There are so many parameters to look at and the selection panel is doing its work but should I be given the opportunity I will ensure I do my best to complement my boss," she said.

"It would be better if Odinga picked a woman as his deputy as this would bring a balance in leadership and we have also seen that women can also do better in leadership," she added.

She, among other leaders in the region, has been putting up spirited campaigns to revive the Jubilee party in the region with the intent to capture majority of votes in the August polls.

About two months ago, Chege gave Odinga a pair of sports shoes during his tour in Murang'a which he is, figuratively, supposed to use to climb up the mountain.

"We are going to help you go up the mountain and make you one of our own in this region," she said.

Chege says she believes Odinga is the best candidate to take over from President Uhuru Kenyatta as he has been in the government for a longer period of time and he understands its structures better.

Further, she said Odinga has made numerous sacrifices for the country and thus he should be rewarded by being given the topmost position to serve the people.

Before joining politics, Chege was a senior manager at the Kenya Broadcasting Cooperation (KBC). She also worked as a radio presenter at Kameme FM.

Chege, a family woman of three children, hails from Kinyona in Kigumo.