Race for next Juja MP starts two days after Wakapee’s burial
Even before the dust could settle, search for the next Member of Parliament for Juja constituency in Kiambu County has started.
On Wednesday, a day after Francis Munyua Waititu alias Wakapee’s body was interred at his Juja town home, Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) in a gazette notice set Tuesday, May 18, 2021, as the date when it will hold by-elections for constituency.
Already, a group of hopefuls have expressed interest to succeed Waititu who succumbed to longstanding brain cancer illness.
Among them are James Marungo, a renowned businessman in the area who even before the death of Waititu has been on the ground implementing various projects among them construction of bridges, dilapidated roads and youth empowerment programs.
Naftaly Rugara Muiga, an electrical and electronic lecturer at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) has also expressed interest to vie for the seat.
Rugara who is also the Universities Academics Staff Union (UASU) national organizing secretary hopes to secure the position for his sustained community service to Juja residents.
“I initiated establishment of sub county offices which are currently in operation, I have been safeguarding JKUAT to have a good relationship with the community, I have also been sponsoring students from primary to the university level alongside my other known community programs which I do through my foundation,” he said.
Eunice Mugo, a relative to former Ruiru mayor Wilson Mugo is also whispered to be eying the position that as time goes could attract more contestants.
The aspiring candidates hope to first clinch the Jubilee ticket as the ruling party is widely backed in the vast constituency.
There is also a likelihood of some candidates vying for the position on other parties’ ticket, a race that could display political might ahead of general elections slated for August 2022.
But Jubilee Party maintains that the candidate who will clinch its ticket will be a guaranteed winner in the race owing to the huge support the party enjoys in the area.
Elijah Njoroge, the Jubilee Party caucus chairman for Kiambu County today maintained that the party will rally behind a candidate who will support President Uhuru Kenyatta’s development agenda especially that of the Juja constituency.
“We cannot let the people of Juja be led by any other party or an independent candidate. We are not ready to subject Juja people to opposition while their MP was from the ruling party. We want a person who will work with the President to deliver all the development projects he promised Juja people,” said Njoroge who is also the MCA for Biashara ward in Ruiru.
During the final send off of the late MP, Jude Njomo, the MP for Kiambu Town had proposed that Susan Waititu, the late MP’s wife be given a chance to complete the work that her husband had started.
