Laikipia politics - and the Shift in Political thinking

Laikipia politics - and the Shift in Political thinking

Laikipia politics seem to be taking a new turn.

Just a few weeks ago, the constituency which has been a DP stronghold since the advent of multiparty democracy, was seen to favour a candidate running on this particular party.
This area has been an opposition stronghold, and always voted overwhelmingly for the current president, Mwai Kibaki.

But with the joint PNU nominations, which saw many parties support president Kibaki's re-election, partisanism is no longer in the constituent's candidates’ checklist. Attention is now shifting from partisan selection, to individual qualities, thanks to coalition politics that have seen many parties support Mwai Kibaki, the constituent’s most favorable presidential candidate. This, unfortunately, has dealt a blow to many who were hoping to earn political mileage from the parties they vie on.

The incumbent MP’s popularity has dwindled by the years, owing largely to his arrogance and dismissal of development needs of the constituents, coupled with CDF mismanagement and Nepotism in CDF committee appointments.

The 2007 parliamentary race has as a result, seen many new contestants enter the race; these include Martin Kiruthu, Pharis Mukuria, Dr Wachira, Muriithi Nderitu, Mrs Maina Njenga and Wanjohi Kangára.

Muriithi Nderitu took the constituency by storm when he opened a major slaughterhouse at Rumuruti town which serves as a delivery point for beef destined for Kenya Meat commision. He is also hailed for supplying schools in the area with Mock and continuous assesment exam papers for a whole year. Among his promises once elected is to see the establishment of a Pineapple processing and packaging centre in the area that boasts of a favorable climate for pineapple farming.

Residents are also hoping that he will look into reopening the National Cereal Boards stores, which will go along way in curbing the exploitation farmers suffer from middle men. Maize is a major cash crop in the area.

Constituents, especially those from the Ngarua area will be watching what the candidates have to offer as a solution to the Elephant invasion problem, which has been a setback to Maize farming.

Civic elections are also taking a shift, with a number of young and educated contestants expressing their wish to capture the various seats. Among them are Benard Ndungú running for the Sipili ward seat and Wilkister Wanjiru Muiruri running for Maili saba ward seat. The civic team elected will to a large extent determine the MP's effectiveness in delivering on some of the needs of the constituents, especially those that are specific to various locations.

This is one contest to watch, and the outcome may mean a total change in the development pace.