Ex-PS in NYS scam joins bus party for Embu Senate bid

Former Youth PS Lilian Mbogo has joined Kiraitu's Development Empowerment Party in her Embu senatorial bid.

Mbogo, who announced her senatorial aspiration last month, said she joined the DEP party to strengthen the party and ensure the county gains bargaining power in sharing the national cake.

The aspirant spoke during the event at Izaak Walton hotel in Embu town on Thursday.

She was welcomed to the party by chairman Lenny Kivuti and deputy party leader Dorothy Nditi.

Mbogo said she will not join any of the Uhuru or Ruto coalitions but aims at anything that will guarantee benefits for her home county.

"I respect both President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto but I will not join either of their coalitions.

"Kenyans have declared they will not elect leaders based on their coalitions. I have listened to people and the debate on voting as a suit is over,” she said.

Mbogo said each community has a political party which has proved to benefit them immensely.

She said Mt Kenya East has enough voters and once they join together in their party, they will have a bargaining power with the coalition that will come seeking their support.

The former PS said once the party realises full stability, it will seek national positions for the people and seek development within the county.

The DEP party seeks to attain 92 per cent of both Embu and Meru votes.

In January, the party, through its leader Kiraitu Murungi said they will announce their presidential aspirant within three months.

The former PS was in the limelight in 2018 after she was allegedly involved in the multimillion NYS scandal.

On his part, Kivuti lauded Mbogo for her bold step to join the party saying he is delighted to have a senatorial aspirant in the county.

The seat has attracted close to ten aspirants from the county.

They include; Alexander Mundigi, Bosco Kiura, Pithon Muchoki, former Kamukunji MP Norman Nyaga, Embu Deputy Governor David Kariuki, University of Embu lecturer Fridah Karani and former Mungania tea factory director Samuel Mwafrika.

Governor Martin Wambora is also said to be interested in the position but he is yet to announce his bid.

(Edited by Bilha Makokha)