Leaders in Tharaka Nithi, a Jubilee stronghold, are gearing up to battle it out for party slots in the newly formed Jubilee Party which President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto will use to seek reelection in 2017.
Already, Chuka Igambang’ombe MP Muthomi Njuki has declared interest in the governor’s seat in 2017.
The seat is currently under Governor Samuel Ragwa, but political realignments are taking shape.
The incumbent has been accused by legislators in the county of being a lone ranger since he failed to attend President Uhuru’s first and only visit to the county in December 2013.
His main reason was that he was not involved in the arrangements to bring the head of state to Tharaka Nithi.
Although Ragwa has declared he will support Uhuru and his deputy Ruto in 2017, he has remained undecided if he will use Jubilee Party to defend his seat. Should he decide to use the party, he and Njuki will battle it out in the nominations.
Ragwa is swimming dangerously in murky political water and may end up becoming a one term governor if he fails to contain Njuki.
The two leaders have engaged in a series of spats in full glare of the public, the worst being on Jamhuri day at county headquarters in Kathwana, where their supporters hurled seats at each other after Njuki’s microphone was switched off by Ragwa’s supporters while he was talking.
Ragwa was elected on a TNA and Njuki on an APK ticket, but the dissolution of ‘Bus’ by party boss Kiraitu Murungi means they will all be under one party.
At first Ragwa was hesitant to endorse Jubilee Party, fearing the nominations might not be fair and favour Njuki. He is now slowly changing his tune and has started showing signs that he might defend his seat through Jubilee Party, making the arithmetic complex.
A battle of titans for Jubilee slots is expected and may cause a political revolution if Ragwa is trounced in the nominations and decides to pick another party or form his own political outfit to propel him to another term.
Ragwa still controls a huge crowd in the county; with three constituencies, he managed to get almost a half of the votes cast.
“I was opposed to merging Jubilee parties, I didn’t know the party’s agenda. But I might change my position. We met President Uhuru but I am still consulting widely. Soon I will announce the party I will use,” Ragwa told the Weekend Star.
Tharaka Nithi senator Kithure Kindiki has already declared his interest to be deputy President in 2022. He may want to have point men from his political backyard in his quest.
The senate majority leader has severally declared his support for Njuki in 2017 as a way to prepare leaders from Tharaka Nithi to anticipate his ascent to the big seat.
Kindiki said he will support Njuki as he has shown potential to deliver for the people of Tharaka Nithi.
Women Representative Beatrice Nkatha and Tharaka MP Alex Muiru back Njuki.
Apart from being close to Kindiki the legislator is also closer to Deputy President Wiliam Ruto.
Ruto has visited Tharaka Nithi four times since Jubilee assumed power in 2013 and the three have been in Chuka Igambang’ombe.
Ragwa enjoys support from MCAs led by Lisbeth Gatiria (Ganga) and Maara MP Kareke Mbiuki.
Mbiuki and Ragwa come from Maara constituency and he played a key role in Ragwa’s triumph over former Nithi MP Petkay Miriti. However, their relationship has deteriorated lately after Ragwa claimed he did not clinch the seat because of Mbiuki’s influence during campaigns.
Mbiuki said Maara residents should not be duped into electing a leader because he belongs to their sub tribe but elect leaders based on their developmental record.
“I am not supporting anyone’s political quest but am concentrating on his role as a legislator,” He said.
Mbiuki might be swayed to support Ragwa according to a 2012 memorandum of understanding that the governor comes from Maara, the senator from Tharaka and Women representative from Chuka until 2022.
Ragwa clinched the gubernatorial seat by beating Miriti 70,088 to 54,813 votes.
Njuki is banking on his constituents who elected him in 2013 to defeat Ragwa since the constituency had 57,231 voters compared to Maara’s 50,870 and Tharaka’s 47,386.
Ragwa has been pressuring Kindiki to support him as Maara residents supported him in 2017.
All MPs, the governor, senator and Women Representative were elected on Jubilee coalition parties and the situation is set to remain the same as Tharaka Nithi is known for its one sided voting pattern. Hence leaders are working tirelessly to get the Jubilee party tickets that will almost guarantee them a win in 2017.