- Kembi served as the first Murang'a senator before being replaced by Irungu's Kang'ata in 2017.
- He urged Murang'a people not to experiment with the county's leadership.
Former Murang'a senator Kembi Gitura has announced that he will be seeking the same seat during this year's polls.
Kembi resigned from his position as the chairperson of Communications Authority of Kenya this month to vie for the position.
He previously served as the chairperson of Kenya Medical Supplies Authority before being appointed to CAK by the President.
During his tenure as the first Murang'a senator, Kembi served as the deputy speaker in the Senate and was vocal in the fight against graft.
While addressing journalists in Murang'a town on Monday, Kembi said he had been unable to complete his vision for the people following his poll loss as the senator in 2017.
He said the seat is central to the success of devolution as a senator is charged with the responsibility of holding the governor accountable.
"We have the President in Nairobi but the people that are in charge of the billions sent to the county are very important. We cannot afford to elect anybody emotionally or based on their parties," he added.
"I cannot be the judge of the current county leadership for the last five years, so I will let people compare the achievements of the county during the first five years and this term. Let them see what I am talking about when I say we need a leadership that is focused," he added.
While declining to announce his party of choice, Kembi said he had kept off campaigns due to his position in the government but that he will now hit the ground running.
Many, he noted, have been asking whether he had resigned from his position and if he would be vying for the Senate seat. He appealed to the people of Murang'a to stop experimenting with the leaders they elect, urging them to choose leaders who are tested and have integrity.
"I have been tested and that is why I am asking the people of Murang'a to vote for me because they know me," he added.
Kembi will be contesting against five other candidates including primary school teacher Hellen Mwangi, educationist Joe Nyutu, pharmacist Pius Kinuthia, political analyst Peter Kagwanja and veteran journalist Stanley Karuri.
-Edited by SKanyara