How Wamatangi hopes to fill Kiambu’s tank of basic needs
With his victory as the fourth governor of Kiambu, Senator Kimani Wamatangi now shoulders a monumental task.
He needs to restore the dignity of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s home county that has continued to be a subject of ignominy.
The lawmaker was among 14 senators seeking the governorship seats. But only him and senators Irungu Kang’ata (Murang’a), Susan Kihika (Nakuru), James Orengo (Siaya), Nairobi’s Johnson Sakaja, Mutula Kilonzo Jr (Makueni) and Ochilo Ayacko (Migori), succeeded.
Wamatangi, the only second term senator from Central Kenya, and who was vying on UDA ticket of Deputy President William Ruto, braved many onslaughts from Azimio la Umoja coalition and a section of Kenya Kwanza alliance to vanquish Governor James Nyoro.
The outgoing governor was defending the seat on Jubilee Party. The race attracted Wamatangi, Nyoro, Thika Town MP Patrick Wainaina (Independent), former Governor William Kabogo (Tujibebe WaKenya), Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria (Chama Cha Kazi), Mwende Gatabaki (Safina) and Agnes Wachuka (independent).
Wamatangi garnered 348,371 votes, followed by Wainaina (237,361), Kabogo (106,980), Nyoro (99,562), Kuria (24,512), Gatabaki (4,674) and Wachuka (1,264).
Existing networks
The victory of Wamatangi, has been attributed to his existing county networks, having been a senator for 10 years, and his consistency in community work through the Wamatangi Foundation that offers free community transport, donation of water tanks and computer training.
He also made a name for demanding accountability in counties and pushing for equity through the one-man-one-vote-one-shilling mantra.
As the fourth governor, Wamatangi has acknowledged he has a huge weight on his shoulder. Kiambu county made history in 2020 after successfully impeaching governor Ferdinand Waititu.
“I will serve the people with utmost dedication and honesty as I singlehandedly focus on delivery of the transformative agenda of “Make Kiambu Great Again’’. We should all join hands in this journey of restoring the glory of our great county,” said the governor-elect.
He has promised to correct the mess created by previous regimes of the county, boosting education, agriculture, health, small and medium enterprises, infrastructure and water projects.
Other projects include proper sanitation, jobs creation, youth empowerment, revenue up-shot and elimination of graft, vetting and clearing of pending bills, and face-lifting of major towns.
