Jubilee, UDA step up campaigns for Kiambaa seat
Campaigns for the Kiambaa parliamentary by-election slated for July 15 have intensified with aspirants crisscrossing the expansive sub-county.
The contest has, however, narrowed down to a two-horse race between Jubilee’s Kariri Njama and United Democratic Alliance’s (UDA) Njuguna Wanjiku.
While Njama insists that he doesn’t need the support of Jubilee MPs in the campaigns, Bishop Kariuki Ngare alias Gakuyo, who is an advisor of Kiambu Governor James Nyoro, has warned that the party risks losing the seat unless local leaders join the campaigns.
“We should storm Kiambaa and campaign for our candidate. People want to see Jubilee leaders campaigning for Njama.
If indeed you support President Uhuru Kenyatta, elected leaders should ensure we recapture the seat,” he said.
He accused Jubilee MPs of giving the campaigns a wide berth.
“We should not repeat the mistakes we made in Juja,” he added.
Gakuyo said Njama was the most popular candidate but needed the support by other leaders.
UDA is leaving nothing to chance the campaigns for its candidate, with heavyweights hitting the campaign trail.
Among the politicians who joined the UDA candidate during his weekend campaigns include Murang’a Senator Irungu Kangata, Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua and his Kikuyu counterpart Kimani Ichung’wa.
On Saturday, Njama launched a campaign against drug and substance abuse which he said was a big problem in the area.
“Since I came to minister in the church last year I have buried 20 young men who are aged 30 to 40 years all who were not married due to depression,” said Kirata.
Other issues the candidates are pledging to address if elected are water shortage, deplorable state of roads and lack of health facilities, unemployment.
