- Kagwanja, who has announced that he will be vying for the position through the Jubilee, has accused Gitura of lacking integrity.
- The statement was largely construed to refer to Gitura’s tenure as the chairperson of Kemsa board in which the corporation was marred graft.
Image: ALICE WAITHERA
Political analyst Peter Kagwanja has lobbed a scathing attack at his competitor for Murang'a senator, Kembi Gitura.
The two seek to succeed Senator Irungu Kang’ata who is vying for governor after serving his two-terms.
Kagwanja, who has announced that he will be vying for the position through the Jubilee, has accused Gitura of lacking integrity.
The aspirant spoke on Wednesday at Kenol in Maragua constituency.
Kagwanja and Gitura will battle it out for the party’s ticket after a third aspirant, former teacher Hellen Kigia, decamped to UDA.
Kigia was received by Deputy President William Ruto at his Karen residence on February 25.
Kagwanja has however called on Jubilee not to allow the county to be ruled by "a government of goons, corrupt people and thieves."
Kagwanja said he will not allow a situation of Jesus and Barnabas.
“We have made an appeal to the party not to allow people to choose between those coming to help and those who will steal from the people,” he said.
Kagwanja said they have refurbished the party and began to draw support from the people.
He however said he is ready for nominations adding that Murang’a people should be offered good choices of people to elect.
The aspirant said he wants to compete with politicians who will be worth his while.
"You don’t take to the Olympics those unable to jump two feet when you have a seven feet high jump," he said.
Kagwanja also said there is need for the party to conduct credible nominations that will strengthen and elevate it nationally.
“We want to start addressing our people's problems from the basics. We want to empower them and eradicate poverty. We can only do that if we give unwavering support to our president,” he said.
Gitura wants to reclaim the seat he held between 2013 and 2017.
He has been engaging in the grassroots popularisation forums organised by local leaders led by former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth.
Gitura says he was unable to complete his vision for Murang’a people following his defeat by Kang’ata in 2017.
Among his priorities is to ensure Delmonte company that sits on about 18,000 acres of land in Murang’a cedes part of it for the establishment of a city near Kabati along Thika Kenol highway.
Such a city, he said, would provide employment to thousands of residents and boost the economy.
Gitura said residents should stop experimenting with the leaders they elect adding that leaders of devolved units determine their quality of life.
Others contesting for the seat include pharmacist Pius Kinuthia who is vying on an ODM ticket, Joe Nyutu on UDA and Stanley Karuri who is an independent candidate.
(Edited by Bilha Makokha)