Nyeri's greenhorn Wamathai now seeks votes to fill Gachagua's giant shoes in August polls

juma chrispinus

March 10, 2017 9:56 AM

The family of the first governor, Gachagua, who passed on two weeks ago, has pledged support for the election of the governor.

The newly sworn in and the second governor of Nyeri County Samuel Wamathai will be defending his seat in the August 8th polls.

Speaking to journalists in Nyeri Town after the swearing-in of six county executive committee members, Wamathai said that he has already paid the required fee to Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee Party to vie for the seat. He added that he is yet to identify his running mate.

“I do not fear other candidates. Courageous men meet in the field and face each other. Nobody is carrying a child (on his back) and I am capable of winning the seat,” he said.

Wamathai will be battling for the Jubilee Party ticket with incumbent Senator Mutahi Kagwe, businessman Thuo Mathenge, Githinji Kinyanjui, hotelier Patrick Munene, former Vision 2030 director Wahome Gakuru and Athi Water Services Board chairman Wachira Keen.

Residents say that Wamathai is already receiving support from Gachagua’s family, who said they will also accord him their “political machinery”, to win the tug in August.

Samuel Wamathai, 61, was sworn in and took office as the second governor of Nyeri County last week following the death of Nderitu Gachagua, the first governor, who was receiving treatment in a London hospital.

Fresh wrangles

Wamathai is already facing a revolt from MCAs, who vowed to reject his nominees, retained from his predecessor’s best pick.

Speaking immediately after his swearing in on Wednesday last week, Wamathai said he was intending to maintain the late Gachagua's cabinet.

The 2010 constitution Chapter 11 on Devolved Governments, cap 179 on County executive committees, however, does not allow the retention of the cabinet.

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