Murang'a professionals back Kang'ata's governor bid

A group of professionals from Murang’a county has thrown its weight behind senator Irungu Kang’ata’s bid for the governor seat.

The group that draws its membership from all sectors, said it has interrogated manifestos drawn by all the gubernatorial candidates and found that Kang’ata’s was more convincing.

The group that met at Kenol on Saturday said his manifesto promises to provide solutions to majority of the challenges facing the county.

Kang’ata who is vying through UDA party, is contesting for the seat against six other candidates including Jamleck Kamau (Jubilee Party), Irungu Nyakera (Farmers’ Party), Joseph Mbai (Usawa Kwa Wote), Wairagu wa Maai (DP), Henry Gaate (Independent) and Moses Mwangi (Safina).

The group’s chairperson Francis Njuguna expressed confidence that Kang’ata will restore the lost glory of the county saying they believe his development agenda is unparalleled.

The county is currently grappling with alcoholism, drugs abuse and a struggling agriculture sector.

“Today, we declare our unified support for his bid as next governor. We give him the mandate to transform the county in every aspect and raise it to international standards.”

“Empowerment of our farmers, promotion of business and better access to health facilities are our projected expectations from his administration,” he added, urging residents to join hands with them and support Kang’ata.

Njuguna lauded the senator as a leader with no graft blemish since he started his journey in politics as a councillor in 2007.

This, he said, is unlike other leaders who have amassed huge wealth within short periods of time.

He also cited the Ward Fund that Kang’ata has pledged to implement in the county if he is elected to help devolve resources from the county headquarters to all parts of the county.

Mwangi Wangechi, a member, said the group will help him sell his agenda in the villages to popularise him.

“We want to ensure everybody understands what he has in store for them. We have offered ourselves to ensure he is elected,” Mwangi said.

The youths lauded Kang’ata saying his record as an MP and senator has shown that he is a high performer.

Kang’ata served as the senate majority whip before he was dethroned and replaced by Kiambu senator Kimani Wamatangi in February last year.

The governor seat, they emphasised, is crucial as it will determine where the county will be in the five years and requires somebody with leadership experience.

Bedan Kinyanjui who is a lecturer at KCA University said the group’s intention is to ensure they sell a candidate that will empower their kin in the villages.

He said the minimum guaranteed returns that Kang’ata has promised to implement in all agricultural subsectors will boost farmers’ returns and better their living standards as they will be able to project their returns.

“We want farmers to be able to educate their children comfortably without relying on bursaries because they are earning enough money from their farms,” he said.

He said residents should vote for a leader that understands their needs and offers solutions