Blow for Jubilee as Tharaka Nithi Governor Ragwa quits party

dennis kibet

February 17, 2017 5:47 PM

The governor cited lack of transparency in the Jubilee Party as the main reason for the leaders decamping.

The Jubilee Party has suffered a major setback in the Upper Eastern region after Tharaka Nithi Governor Samuel Ragwa quit the party.

Ragwa also led his deputy Eliud Muriithi into Martha Karua’s Narc Kenya’s Party.

The move comes only two days after he sacked two county executives said to be eyeing elective seats in the August 8, general elections.

The sacked officials were Ms Tabitha Mbungu (Trade, Industry and Cooperative) and her counterpart for Physical Planning, Energy, Land and ICT, Ms Cirindi Kithinji.

Ms Mbungu is contesting for Tharaka-Nithi woman representative’s seat while Ms Kithinji seeks to represent Chogoria Ward in the county assembly.

In a press statement, Mr Ragwa said the reshuffle is aimed at improving service delivery in the county.

“The changes takes effect immediately in order to improve service delivery by my government,” said Ragwa.

Ragwa had earlier warned that no county employee will be allowed to campaign during offices hours.

Famous name

The county is famous for the populous ‘swing vote’ in 2007 that saw Mwai Kibaki elected for a second term beating Orange Democratic Party’s Raila Odinga in a contested and disputed presidential election.

Governor Samuel Ragwa’s main challengers are Chuka Igambang’ombe MP Muthomi Njuki, popularly known as Muthomi wa Generations and a former two-term Nithi MP Petkay Miriti.

Miriti lost to Ragwa in 2013 after garnering 54,813 votes compared to Ragwa’s 70,088.

The former Trade assistant minister later petitioned the result and lost in both the High Court and the Court of Appeal.

Njuki is banking on his constituents, who overwhelmingly voted for him in 2013.

The county had a total of 155,904 voters and 139,083 votes were cast during the last elections.

Massive defections

Last week, the Jubilee party were dealt another heavy blow after more than 20 leaders from Embu defected from President Kenyatta's party.

Embu Senator Lenny Kivuti and Deputy Governor, Dorothy Nditi defected to Maendeleo Chap Chap Party.

Together with Mbeere North MP Charles Njagagua and 23 MCAs, the politicians left Jubilee citing lack of transparency in the party leadership in Embu County.

dennis kibet