Wambora to face off with his deputy in Embu senator contest

The Embu senatorial contest will pit Governor Martin Wambora against his deputy David Kariuki after the latter won the UDA nomination on Thursday.

Kariuki beat Senator Njeru Ndwiga to clinch the party ticket in a surprise vote that will now put him in the race for the seat against his boss.

Wambora will be running on the Umoja na Maendeleo Party ticket which is also an affiliate of the Kenya Kwanza alliance that is led by Deputy President William Ruto.

Kariuki who appeared to be less aggressive in his campaigns, garnered 27,915 votes thrashing  incumbent Ndwiga who emerged second with 19,062 votes, former Kamukunji MP Norman Nyaga with 15,269 and newbie Pithon Michoki who garnered 13,572 votes.

Speaking at Kangaru Boys on Friday, Kariuki said he is confident to clinch the seat against his boss.

"In August I will be facing off with my boss and you can be assured it will not be an easy contest. We are going to experience a stiff contest and you can be assured as long as I will be in UDA party, I will emerge victorious in August," he said.

Kariuki's strongholds were in Manyatta and Runyenjes constituencies while in Mbeere North and Mbeere South he trailed.

Other Embu aspirants who will be flying the UDA flag include Cecily Mbarire vying for governor and former Royal Media journalist Pamela Njoki who is eyeing the woman representative seat.

Mbarire garnered 54,833 votes against her main challenger and who is also the Manyatta constituency MP John Muchiri who got 21,963 votes.

She garnered more votes than her rival in all the four constituencies of Runyenjes, Manyatta, Mbeere North and Mbeere South.

Speaking after receiving the certificate at Kangaru Boys School, Mbarire thanked Embu residents for voting for her.

"I want to take this opportunity to appreciate the people of Embu for giving me the opportunity to lead in seeking the Embu governor seat in August," she said.

"This is the beginning of victory in the August general election." 

Mbarire also applauded the party boss DP Ruto for his committed support to see the primaries go through fairly and peacefully.

This was after Mbeere South nominations materials were burnt on Wednesday prior to exercise on Thursday.

She said Ruto sent three leaders to coordinate the primaries which ensured an efficient exercise.

"Let me thank the Deputy President for intervening at the right time when things seemed to have gone out of hand by sending a special team led by Senator Murkomen," Mbarire said.

The exercise saw Elgeyo-Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, Wajir West MP Mohammed Kolosh, and Tharaka MP George Murugara intervene after chaos eruption that led to the burning of electoral materials in rigging allegations.

Mbarire will be battling for Embu governor seat with former Embu  Senator Lenny Kivuti who is vying on a Development Empowerment Party ticket.

For the Woman Representative position Njoki was announced the winner with 48,485 votes followed by nominated MCA Margaret Lorna Kariuki with 12,070 Jane Karimi with 11,257 and Ann Warue with 4,695.

Njoki garnered the most votes in all four constituencies showing her dominance in the county under the UDA party.

In the Member of Parliament position, Gitonga Mukunji will be UDA's Manyatta constituency flagbearer after winning 14,176 votes against Kinyua Mugo with 8,975 votes.

The two were the only contestants for the position.

Runyenjes and Mbeere North MPs won direct ticket after being unopposed.

In Mbeere South Genesio Njagi was announced the winner with 5,650 against Nebart Muriuki who got 5,564 and the incumbent MP Geoffrey King'ang'i  with 2,350 votes.

-Edited by SKanyara